Flyers Bank on Dan Vladar to Solve Goaltending Troubles
The Philadelphia Flyers have handed the keys to their crease to a new contender. Dan Vladar, the 27-year-old goaltender from the Czech Republic, signed a two-year deal worth $6.7 million on July 1, 2025, giving the Flyers' messy goaltending situation a much-needed reset. Coming off a season where the Flyers had the league’s worst goals-against numbers, they couldn’t afford to let things slide another year. Vladar’s arrival isn’t just a shuffle—it's a statement that the team is determined to fix what’s been broken between the pipes.
Last season was brutal for Flyers fans. The orange and black allowed an ugly 3.45 goals per game and a .879 save percentage, both dead last in the NHL. If you sat through those games, you’d know how often saves felt like small miracles. Enter Vladar, who put up a 2.80 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage in 30 outings for Calgary. Those numbers aren’t Vezina-level but they’re a lifesaver compared to what Flyers goalies offered last year, and that's not lost on the front office.
The deal puts Vladar right in the thick of a crowded field. Besides Vladar, there’s Samuel Ersson, who’s shown flashes of brilliance but is still getting his NHL legs under him, and Ivan Fedotov, who’ll likely start the season in the minors since he’d need to clear waivers—something the Flyers don’t want to risk. Add prospect Aleksei Kolosov to the mix, and suddenly Philadelphia is swimming in goalie options, something fans almost forgot was possible.
No Turning Back From Carter Hart
But as much as this signals hope for Flyers fans, it all but closes the chapter on Carter Hart. Once the golden boy in net, Hart now finds himself on the outside looking in, due to a combination of off-ice uncertainties and the Flyers shifting priorities. Vladar’s signing is more than a fresh contract—it's a loud sign that the organization is finally moving on.
Vladar never really got his shot at a true starting gig in Calgary. He spent most nights watching from the bench while Dustin Wolf got the nod. He comes to Philadelphia with a chip on his shoulder, making it clear he’s not here to ride the pine. The front office wants a goaltending tandem that can share the load, so expect Vladar and Ersson to split starts at first, with competition hopefully pushing both to a higher level.
The Flyers also tightened up their defensive depth in free agency, clearly aiming to give their goalies a fair shot. But the Vladar contract is the headline deal. It’s the biggest bet Philadelphia has made in net since those first hopeful years with Hart. Time will tell if Vladar and Ersson can stabilize the position, but fans hungry for half-decent goaltending see this as a light at the end of a long, leaky tunnel.
It’s an offseason defined by big changes, bold moves, and a clear message that the old routine wasn’t working. Vladar leads the new wave in Philly's net — and for the first time in years, hope feels like it’s made a comeback.
