How Long Can Dan Vladař Keep Carrying the Flyers?
Through the first quarter of the 2025-26 NHL season, the Philadelphia Flyers have found an unexpected hero in goaltender Dan Vladař. The 28-year-old Czech native, signed as a free agent in the offseason, has not only stabilized the Flyers' net but has also elevated their overall performance, exceeding all expectations.
Coming off a disastrous season for goaltending in 2024-25, the Flyers inked Vladař to a two-year, $6.7 million contract, hoping he could form a reliable tandem with Sam Ersson. However, Vladař has quickly surpassed Ersson, claiming the starting role and providing the Flyers with a level of goaltending they haven't seen in years. As of late November, Vladař has started in 14 of the Flyers' 21 games, posting a 9-4-1 record with a .913 save percentage and a 2.39 goals-against average. Among goalies with at least ten games played, Vladař's save percentage and goals-against average both rank in the top six in the NHL.
Vladař's impact extends beyond statistics. He has brought a sense of stability and confidence to the team. Head coach Rick Tocchet even described Vladar's performance as "smelling salts" for the team, waking them up during a game against the Nashville Predators. "To be honest, it was a pretty ugly game. Vladař made some unbelievable saves, really kept us in it," said defenseman Jamie Drysdale after the game, further emphasizing the goalie's importance.
The Flyers' improved defensive play also contributes to Vladař's success. The pairing of defensemen Travis Sanheim and Cam York, who struggled in previous seasons, are now playing more effectively in front of their goaltender. A more stable defensive scheme coupled with Vladař's play has translated into wins for the team.
However, the question remains: can Vladař maintain this high level of play throughout the entire season? While his performance has been outstanding, the Flyers' long-term goaltending plans could be affected. The team was initially envisioning a split between Vladař and Ersson, with prospect Aleksei Kolosov potentially getting some NHL starts. Ersson is set to become a restricted free agent after this season, and the Flyers will need to decide on his future with the team. The organization also hopes to give NHL exposure to goalie prospect Carson Bjarnason during the 2026-27 season and bring Yegor Zavragin over to North America, with the hope he can become the franchise's "guy" in the crease as early as 2027-28.
Vladař's contract ends in 2027, aligning with the Flyers' initial plan of him being a stopgap until the younger goalies are ready. However, if Vladař continues to perform at this elite level, the Flyers might have to reconsider their timeline and potentially extend his contract.
For now, the Flyers are enjoying the ride. They are currently in a playoff spot, something that seemed unlikely before the season started. Vladař's stellar play is a major reason for their success, providing a sense of hope and excitement to a fanbase that has been yearning for a competitive team. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if Vladař can continue to carry the Flyers and solidify his place as their long-term solution in net.
