As the turkey gets carved and the pumpkin pie hits the table, Flyers fans have plenty to be grateful for in the 2025-26 season—and right at the top of that list is goaltender Dan Vladar. Signed as a tandem partner for Sam Ersson on a two-year, $3.35 million AAV deal back in July, the 27-year-old Czech netminder has emerged as the unexpected backbone of a team that’s sitting at 9-6-3 (one point out of the playoffs) through 18 games.
What was supposed to be a steady backup role has turned into Vladar carrying the load, posting elite numbers that have masked some defensive inconsistencies and kept Philly competitive in a stacked Metropolitan Division.
Vladar’s Breakout Stats: A Vezina-Caliber Start
Vladar has started 12 of the Flyers’ 18 games, going 9-4-1 with a 2.39 goals-against average (GAA) and .913 save percentage (SV%)—ranking him 8th and tied for 9th in the league, respectively, among goalies with at least 10 appearances. Earlier in the season, he led the NHL with a .939 SV% through the first month, tying Connor Hellebuyck for third overall at .932.
He’s also been a wall in high-danger situations, stopping point-blank bids that have directly stolen points for the Orange and Black.For context, the Flyers’ goaltending was a league-worst .879 SV% last season—a black hole that sank the team. Vladar’s arrival flipped the script: Philly’s tandem (with Ersson sidelined briefly by injury) ranks among the top-10 units league-wide in SV%, turning blown leads and sloppy shifts into hard-fought wins.
Key Moments Where Vladar Saved the Day
- November 21 vs. St. Louis Blues (3-2 OT Win): Vladar stonewalled the Blues with 28 saves, including multiple point-blank denials in the third period that preserved a one-goal lead. Postgame, he joked about owing teammate Emil Andrae a steak for a game-saving block—but Flyers Nation owes him a lifetime supply for bailing out a defense that allowed 29 shots in the final frame.
- November 7 vs. Nashville Predators (3-1 Win): After coughing up three-goal leads in back-to-back losses to Toronto and Montreal (allowing 8 goals on 39 shots), Vladar bounced back with 23 saves, keeping a one-goal deficit from snowballing and giving the offense time to rally.
- November 23 vs. New Jersey Devils (5-2 Win): In a game where Philly built a lead but let the Devils dominate possession, Vladar made 26 saves on 28 shots, including several highlight-reel stops that prevented a collapse.
Vladar’s even won over the Faithful off-ice:
At a recent autograph signing, fans raved about his “nicest, coolest” demeanor. And after a packed practice watch in September, he shouted out the crowd: “When I drove in this morning and I already saw people around. It’s really cool, thanks. Thanks to everybody that came.”
In a season of young stars like Matvei Michkov (already with 10 points) and Zegras lighting it up, Vladar’s quiet dominance in net is the ultimate gift. He’s not just stopping pucks—he’s restoring hope to a fanbase that’s been starved for stability between the pipes. So raise a glass (or a turkey leg) to Vladar: the unassuming giant who’s got the Flyers flying high.
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