The Philadelphia Flyers signed goalie Dan Vladar to a two-year contract worth $6.7 million despite his underwhelming career stats, including a 3.00 GAA and .895 save percentage. His recent performance with the Calgary Flames raised concerns, particularly a -24 Goals Saved Above Average over the last two seasons.
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 07: Pittsburgh Penguins center Tommy Novak (18) goes to the net against Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) during the overtime period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers on March 7, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 07: Pittsburgh Penguins center Tommy Novak (18) goes to the net against Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) during the overtime period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers on March 7, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It seemed like another bad July 1st contract when the Philadelphia Flyers gave 27-year old goalie Dan Vladar a $6.7 million contract for two years ($3.35m AAV). Vladar had completely pedestrian career stats of a 49-34-16 record with a 3.00 GAA, .895 save percentage and four shutouts in 105 regular-season games split between five games with Boston and 100 with Calgary.
Vladarâs last two seasons with the Flames were particularly bad, posting a cumulative -24 Goals Saved Above Average that at one time had plummeted all the way down to -32, making the contract all the more confounding. Via hockeystats.com:
But goalies are confounding players were wisdom and logic doesnât always apply for the past to line up for future performance. The Flyers are in the playoffs in no small part thanks to the positive contributions of Vladar, who put up career-highs this season in wins (29), GAA (2.42), save percentage (.906%). He got that GSAA moved in the right direction this season too at +11.42 as a consistently strong positive factor to help his team throughout the season.
Vladar and the Flyers are both peaking at the right time, the starting goalie is 5-1-0 with a .921 save% in the month of April. Go back to March 14th and Vladar has a 8-3-1 record with a .912 save% and 2.17 GAA.
Philadelphia didnât make the playoffs because they have a good offense or a lot of skilled players, they have neither. Their 2.91 goals ranks 22nd in the NHL, the lowest among all playoff teams this year. The Flyers did make the playoffs (in addition to feasting on OT/SO wins) because their defense is designed to absorb punishment and their goaltenders keep the puck out of the net, their 2.93 goals/against per game ranks 9th in the NHL.
A lot of that is due to the decision from general manager Danny Briere and coach Rick Tocchet to go grab a goalie in Vladar who had been more of a 1B type player and give him the opportunity to be a starter. Philadelphia had a lot of choices (like backup Samuel Ersson and current minor leaguer Aleksei Kolosov and the now-traded Ivan Fedotov) but not a lot of quality. Despite not really showing it in Calgary, Vladar ended up being the piece that moved the needle and finally gave Philadelphia the anchor in net that theyâve been searching for since seemingly time immemorial.
Strong goalie play can take a mediocre team and make them into a playoff team, and in the most simplistic of terms that was on display to a large degree this season in Philadelphia. Vladarâs stats were far superior to that of the other goalie on the team Ersson (13-11-5, .867 save%, 3.15 GAA and a -13.75 GSAA). The Flyersâ season was almost sunk when Vladar missed two weeks in January with a lower body injury and Philadelphia endured one of the worst stretches of their season of a 2-7-2 stretch from Jan. 7-28 that overlapped Vladarâs Jan 14-28 injury.
Vladar and the Flyers ended up surviving that period and re-finding his early season form to help earn a playoff spot. The Penguins will have a challenge to score on one of the better goalies in the league this season and seeing how their high-powered offense (3.52 goals/game, 3rd in the NHL) matches up against Vladar will be one of the glaringly major deciding factors for the first round.
Q&A
What are Dan Vladar's career statistics in the NHL?
Dan Vladar has a career record of 49-34-16, a 3.00 GAA, and a .895 save percentage over 105 regular-season games.
Why did the Philadelphia Flyers sign Dan Vladar despite his poor performance?
The Flyers signed Vladar to a two-year contract likely hoping to improve their goaltending situation, despite his recent struggles and negative performance metrics.
What was Dan Vladar's Goals Saved Above Average during his last seasons with the Flames?
Dan Vladar posted a cumulative -24 Goals Saved Above Average during his last two seasons with the Calgary Flames, indicating significant struggles in goal.
How much is Dan Vladar's contract with the Philadelphia Flyers worth?
Dan Vladar's contract with the Philadelphia Flyers is worth $6.7 million over two years, averaging $3.35 million per season.
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