The Flyers’ playoff hopes for the 2025-26 NHL season hinge significantly on the performance of their Goaltending tandem, Sam Ersson and Dan Vladar, as highlighted by multiple sources. Here’s a breakdown of why this duo is pivotal and the context surrounding their role:Goaltending challenges.
For the past few seasons, the Flyers have struggled with Goaltending consistency, posting the NHL’s worst team save percentage (.872) in the 2024-25 season, marking the third time in five years they’ve finished last in this category. Sam Ersson, the incumbent starter, has shown potential but battled inconsistency and injuries, with a .883 save percentage last season. His heavy workload, especially after Carter Hart’s departure, led to a noticeable decline in performance, dropping from a .911 Save Percentage in his first 21 games to .875 in his final 30. Backup options like Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov underperformed, with Save Percentages of .880 and .867, respectively, exacerbating the team’s goaltending woes.
Dan Vladar’s arrival to address this, the Flyers signed Dan Vladar to a two-year, $6.7 million contract ($3.35M AAV) on July 1, 2025, aiming to stabilize their goaltending. Vladar, a 27-year-old Czech netminder, brings NHL experience from four seasons with the Calgary Flames, where he posted a 12-11-6 record, .898 save percentage, and 2.80 GAA in 2024-25. Notably, he finished the season strongly, going 6-1-1 with a .927 save percentage in his final nine appearances, showing he can perform under pressure. While not seen as a long-term solution, Vladar’s size (6’5), positional play, and rebound control make him a solid fit for a 1A/1B tandem with Ersson. His ability to handle 20-30 starts could ease Ersson’s workload, preventing burnout and fostering competition.
Playoff Hopes
The Flyers’ playoff chances are considered a bold prediction due to their recent struggles and the competitive Metropolitan Division. However, a stronger goaltending tandem could be the difference. If Vladar outperforms the previous Fedotov-Kolosov duo and Ersson regains consistency, the Flyers could leverage their improved forward group (with additions like Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov) and solid defense to sneak into the postseason. Vladar’s confidence in taking on a larger role and his positive attitude toward competing with Ersson suggest a healthy dynamic that could elevate both goalies’ performances.
Potential Risks
- Workload Concerns: Vladar has never played more than 30 games in an NHL season, raising questions about his ability to handle a larger role. Ersson’s injury history and inconsistency also pose risks.
- Limited Ceiling: Vladar’s career .895 save percentage suggests he’s a reliable backup but not an elite starter, meaning the Flyers’ success may depend on Ersson stepping up as the primary option.
- Team Context: The Flyers are in a rebuild, balancing competitiveness with development, which could limit their overall ceiling if other areas (e.g., scoring depth) don’t improve.
The Ersson-Vladar tandem offers stability over last season’s Goaltending carousel, with Vladar’s experience and late-season form providing hope for a dependable 1A/1B setup. If both goalies perform at or above league-average levels, combined with contributions from key forwards like Zegras, Michkov, and Owen Tippett, the Flyers could make a playoff push in a weaker Metropolitan Division. However, their success hinges on Ersson’s development and Vladar’s ability to handle increased responsibility, making Goaltending the linchpin of their 2025-26 campaign.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise
About Author
