The Flyers’ Goaltending duo of Dan Vladar and Aleksei Kolosov has been one of the few bright spots during a rocky start to the 2025-26 season. Dan Vladar, 28-year-old Czech has seized the starting job and is playing the best hockey of his career:
- Season line (7 GP): 4-3-0, 2.11 GAA, .924 SV%
- He allowed two goals or fewer in his first six starts — the first time that’s ever happened in his NHL career.
- Highlights: 32 saves in a 4-1 win over Nashville, 31 saves in a 2-1 loss to Ottawa, and a 35-save shutout bid broken late against Florida.
- Some call him “a revelation” and “elite-level” (tied for 3rd in the NHL in SV% early on).
Only blemish: pulled after allowing four goals on 19 shots vs. Toronto on Nov. 1 — his first “off” night.
Aleksei Kolosov’s Rebound
The 23-year-old Belarusian prospect has flipped the script after last year’s struggles:
- AHL start: 3-2-0, 2.60 GAA, .918 SV%, 1 shutout (35-save blanking of Cleveland).
- NHL 2025-26 season debut (Nov. 1): Entered in relief vs. Toronto, stopped all 7 shots he faced in the 3rd period.
- First NHL start (Nov. 2): 2-1 loss to Calgary, but faced just 20 shots and allowed only 2 goals (both screened/deflected). Coach Rick Tocchet: “A good test for him — he looked calm.” @SGNolan
Kolosov is now the clear backup while Sam Ersson (lower-body) is on IR, and the Flyers are giving him real runway.
Why It Matters
With Ersson sidelined and the team sitting 6-5-1, the net has been the one position that hasn’t hurt them. Vladar is stealing games, and Kolosov’s confidence is sky-high — exactly what Philly hoped for when they signed Vladar to stabilize the crease and kept developing Kolosov.Bottom line: Yes, both are playing well — and the Flyers desperately need them to keep it up.
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