Dan Vladar’s Steady Presence Keeping Flyers in the Fight
VOORHEES, N.J. - Dan Vladar isn’t your typical goaltender. Sure, he’s got the stoic focus and razor-sharp reflexes you want between the pipes, but off the ice? He’s the guy cracking jokes in the locker room, making teammates laugh, and lifting spirits when the grind of the season starts to wear on everyone.
That duality - the competitor and the connector - is a big reason why the Flyers are still hanging around the playoff picture. Without Vladar, this season might already be slipping into the rearview mirror.
The 28-year-old signed with Philadelphia as a free agent last summer, leaving Calgary with a clear sense of what he wanted next: a team where he could not only compete but lead. And that’s exactly what he’s done.
You’ll see it during timeouts - Vladar skating over to the bench, offering a quick word or a rallying cry. Head coach Rick Tocchet notices. So does forward Noah Cates, who doesn’t hesitate to describe the impact Vladar has had.
“When he says something, it carries weight,” Cates said after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s pulling his weight, so when he talks, you want to go out and play hard for him. He’s battling his ass off every night and giving us a chance to win.”
And there’s no exaggeration there. Vladar has already logged a career-high 32 games this season and shows no signs of fatigue. He’s banked 17 wins, and his goals-against average and save percentage have been flirting with top-10 territory league-wide for much of the year.
“He’s been one of our best players,” Cates added. “What he does during TV timeouts or in the locker room - it’s pretty remarkable.
He’s just a great guy to be around. On the ice, he’s funny, he talks to everyone.
He’s a glue guy.”
Vladar’s leadership isn’t loud or flashy. It’s timely, it’s thoughtful, and it’s rooted in experience. He knows what it takes to be the guy in net every night - and more importantly, he knows how to be the guy his teammates want to play for.
When he chose Philly, it wasn’t just about opportunity - it was about fit. He saw a young group on the rise, a team that could use a steady veteran presence in the crease and a voice in the room.
“Yes, I think we have a pretty young group,” Vladar said. “Bunch of players who are just about to turn their best age. The future is here for sure.
“Especially me. I’m not a young guy anymore.
I think I can bring something to the table - whether it’s a little advice or something that I see. Especially from my view, as a goalie you’re by yourself all the time.
So we have a lot of time that we can see stuff from a different view than guys see on the bench.”
That vantage point matters. And Vladar uses it - not just to analyze the game, but to connect with his teammates. Whether it’s praising a smart play, encouraging a guy who just missed a shot, or asking for feedback after a goal in practice, there’s a two-way street of respect.
“At the same time I’m willing to listen to the guys as well,” Vladar said. “If they see something in my game.
If they shoot and score on me (in practice), I ask ‘was there a lot of room there?’ What did you see?”
The results speak for themselves. Vladar has allowed more than three goals in a game just six times this season - a testament to both his consistency and the team’s commitment to playing in front of him.
“I think we try to help each other and push each other,” he said. “If we do that we’re going to be in a good spot.”
And those timeout talks? They’re not just noise. They’re moments that matter.
“I’m doing it for my teammates,” Vladar said. “Whether it’s everyone or one-on-one conversation. If I see a nice play, a guy shooting in a good spot… even if the puck rolls on his stick, I tell him he’s doing the right thing.
“If he keeps doing that, he’s going to score or make a nice play, whatever that might be.”
Tocchet, who will coach against Vladar when the Olympic tournament opens on Feb. 12 in Italy, gets a kick out of the goalie’s leadership style.
“Goalies don’t like to be boisterous a lot,” Tocchet said. “He doesn’t do it all the time but he does it at a good time. He’s on the positive side.
“Even when we’re down three-nothing, he’ll come over and say, ‘we’re still in the game.’ That’s pretty cool when your goalie says that.”
Roster Notes:
Andrae Still in Limbo
Defenseman Emil Andrae, who leads all Flyers defensemen with a plus-11 rating, remains uncertain for Thursday’s home game against Ottawa. He’s been scratched the past four games, and while Tocchet is weighing a return, the penalty kill’s recent success - just four goals allowed over the last 27 opponent power plays - makes any lineup change a tough call.
“Since the Vegas game we’re something like 87 percent,” Tocchet said. “We’re thinking about playing him tomorrow but the PK, that’s where we lose a guy. That’s something we’re discussing.”
Konecny Gets Another Rest Day
Travis Konecny was given another day off from practice. Tocchet said it’s nothing serious, just some lingering bumps and bruises.
“He’s dealing with some stuff,” Tocchet said. “He wanted to go out today but I didn’t want him out.
It’s just bumps and bruises. Sometimes it’s hard to play through those things.
The last six weeks he’s really taken it upon himself to make sure his game is clean.”
Bottom Line:
Vladar’s been more than just a hot hand in net - he’s been a tone-setter, a leader, and a reason the Flyers are still in the hunt.
And with the Olympic break coming up, he’ll get a chance to showcase his game on an even bigger stage. But for now, his focus is here - on a team that’s still fighting, still believing, and still leaning on the guy in the crease to show them the way.