Dan Vladar, who joined the Philadelphia Flyers seeking more playing time, has quickly become a key part of the team’s improvement in goal this season. In 17 games, Vladar has posted an 11-5-1 record with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. He has allowed two or fewer goals in 11 starts and ranks among the league’s top goaltenders in high-danger and even-strength save percentages.
Vladar credits his positive outlook to finally being healthy after undergoing surgery on his right hip in April 2024 while with the Calgary Flames. The injury had affected him for nearly ten years before he decided to have it repaired.
“I just always felt it like it was tight,” Vladar said about his hip. “And then last season I had issues going down in practices and games. I was eating a lot of painkillers and stuff. It was just tough because then I got to the point where I couldn’t walk up the stairs, and I was hoping no shots are going to go blocker side, because I knew that my hip is hurting.”
Vladar, originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2015, became a full-time NHL player after being traded to Calgary in 2021. Despite struggling with injuries last season, he finished strong and excelled at the 2025 IIHF World Championship for Czechia.
“When I had [surgery], I had it when I was 26 years old, and I wish I did it eight years before, because I haven’t felt good like that in a while,” he said.
After signing a two-year contract with Philadelphia on July 1 valued at $6.7 million, Vladar quickly earned the trust of coach Rick Tocchet.
“I know he’s put the work in because I remember him in Calgary,” Tocchet said. “In Calgary he was a good goalie, but I know he’s put work in. He looks quicker… How many times where he’s made the second save? That’s when you know the goalie is dialed in… I’ve seen so many times this year, he’s been in position for the second shot.”
Vladar’s performance may lead to selection for Team Czechia at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 as one of their primary goaltenders.
“Obviously it would be a dream come true for me to go represent my country,” Vladar said. “I went to World Championship after the season last year, I had a blast there. But at the same time, I’m focusing on the Flyers right now and I’m trying to do everything for team success here…”
With increased responsibility—he is on pace to start more than last year’s career-best—the Flyers hope his consistency will help them reach their first Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2020.
“I’ve just spent a lot more time on recovery and stuff,” Vladar explained regarding handling his workload this season.
Tocchet noted that monitoring Vladar’s workload is an ongoing discussion within their staff: “Uncharted waters for him… that’s why I wanted to give it to him early to see how far he could run it before you get tired or something… we’ve got (Samuel) Ersson… can they share the load? That helps.”
With both Vladar and Samuel Ersson as their main goalies this season, Philadelphia’s five-on-five save percentage has improved from .890—previously among league lows—to .902 since tracking began during the 2009-10 NHL season.
“The biggest thing is that I’m playing pain-free, which is huge,” Vladar added. “And I really feel like I get a lot of trust from my teammates and from the coaching staff…”
He concluded: “… Obviously it’s a new learning experience for me, but I’m having a blast so far. I just hope we, overall as a team, are going to keep doing the right thing and keep winning games.”
