One of the NHL’s most unpredictable traditions is about to disappear.
Beginning in 2026-27, every team will have its own full-time emergency backup goalie who travels and practices with the club. That effectively ends the era of local amateurs being pulled into NHL games when both goalies are injured.
No story captured that chaos better than David Ayres.
In 2020, the 42-year-old Zamboni driver and emergency goalie was forced into action for Carolina after both Hurricanes goaltenders were injured against Toronto.
Ayres allowed goals on the first two shots he faced, then stopped the next eight as Carolina beat the Maple Leafs 6-3 on Toronto’s home ice. He became the first emergency backup goalie credited with an NHL victory, and the oldest goalie to win his league debut.
The new system gives teams a more prepared and reliable emergency option.
But it also removes the possibility of another ordinary person being handed an NHL jersey and creating one of the sport’s most unbelievable nights.
The NHL improved competitive fairness, but David Ayres may now stand forever as the last great EBUG legend.
Wasting no time renewing the Keystone State Rivalry.
Our 2026-27 season will kick off with the Battle of PA in South Philly. 📍
#LetsGoFlyers | @CocaCola
Reality check for the #Flyers cult:
- They will not get Werenksi. Period.
- They are not sending an offer sheet to anybody.
- Players do NOT currently want to play here. There is zero incentive to.
- You’ll probably get Nurse at best.
Stop feeding the beast. Demand more.
Still some final touches needed, and it can’t be announced officially until July 1, but Flyers and Dan Vladar closing in on five-year extension which will carry $5.5M AAV.
TRADE: We have acquired a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft from Florida in exchange for forward Garnet Hathaway and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. https://t.co/HxSszo5ke8
2.5 P/60, 2.1 P/60 at 5v5, 52.5% xG share (5v5)
2.5 P/60, 2.0 P/60 at 5v5, 54% xG share (5v5)
It's amazing to me that one of these players is a fat piece of shit and the other is a steal at $7.5M when they're the same age.
Hearing that the Florida Panthers are getting close to acquiring Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators.
I believe Ottawa will get three first-round picks and a second-round pick in the deal if finalized. More to come.
BREAKING: We have acquired goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from Toronto in exchange for goaltender Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.