Photo Credits: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar came to Philadelphia last Summer as an unrestricted free agent from the Calgary Flames. The 29 year old netminder had been in Calgary since 2021. Few had a clear idea of what to expect from him at that point.
In the Spring of 2024 Vladar had surgery to repair a torn labrum on his right hip. It was a chronic issue that had dogged him for nearly a decade. He’d been playing with limited lower body mobility and a whole lot of pain for quite some time. When the Flyers scooped him up post-recovery he was ready to start the 2025-26 season playing pain free for the first time in years.
A Fresh Start
Vladar was confident that he could offer the Flyers more than he had been able to offer the Flames due to his physical condition. He had arrived in Philly with little fanfare. I’ll admit it, the first day I saw him at camp I was like “where did this guy come from?”
Dan knew his situation better than anyone at the time. He alone knew how he was feeling and what he may now be capable of. He believed he could be the Flyers starting goaltender, and he was out to prove it to his new city and team.
Vladar went 29-14-7 over the course of 52 games in his first season in Philly. He played in 62 games including the playoffs. He had never appeared in more than 30 games during any of his previous NHL seasons.
A bond formed between Vladar and the City of Brotherly love in a very short amount of time. Vladar is a fan favorite and he’s happy to be here.
A Season to Remember
Dan Vladar’s solid goaltending was a huge part of the Flyers success last season. During the Flyers inspirational run up to the playoffs Vladar was indispensable. The Flyers went into the holidays just two games out of first in the Metro. In the new year they managed to dig themselves a hole that few thought they could ever dig their way out of.
Dan Vladar and the Flyers shocked the hockey world. After fighting an uphill battle the entire second half of the season they accomplished their mission. In game #81 on April 13th the Flyers clinched a playoff berth by beating the Carolina Hurricanes in the shootout.
As Vladar stopped the final shot the arena erupted in total jubilation. The players never doubted their chances no matter how bleak things looked at the time. They did what they had to do night after night. One game at a time. This would be the Flyers first trip to the post season since 2020.
Round one against the rival Penguins was epic. Vladar was fantastic between the pipes doing away with Pittsburgh in six. Vladar played all six games earning a .937 SV% and a 1.61 GGA.
Dan finished the regular season with a .906 SV% and a 2.42 GGA (3rd in the NHL). The previous year the Flyers owned the worst GGA in the entire league.
At the end of the season Vladar was awarded the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the teams Most Valuable Player. He was clearly the difference that finally broke the Flyers playoff drought.
This off-season the Flyers added former Toronto Maple Leaf netminder Joseph Woll to help solidify their goaltending situation. Vladar just signed a five year extension to his contract over the Summer.
Flyers Training Camp 2026
So all that being said what does Dan Vladar have to say about his contribution last year and how it plays into this upcoming season? “Nobody cares what you did last year. I take it day by day. Today I’ll focus on today. Tomorrow I’ll focus on tomorrow.”
Vladar lives in the here and now. He is focused on this camp and this coming season. He’s taking nothing for granted, he’s out to prove himself all over again. And that’s the right attitude to have. Let’s go!
The short video linked below contains footage from inside Flyers Training Camp this past week.
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