The Flyers are getting a much-needed boost between the pipes.
Veteran goaltender Dan Vladar has been activated from injured reserve and is expected to start Wednesday night when Philadelphia visits the Columbus Blue Jackets. It’ll be Vladar’s first action in nearly two weeks, after a lower-body injury sidelined him during a game against the Buffalo Sabres.
To make room on the roster, the Flyers sent Aleksei Kolosov back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, their AHL affiliate. Kolosov filled in during Vladar’s absence, but with the veteran ready to go, the crease is once again his to command.
And frankly, the Flyers need him.
Since Vladar went down, it’s been Samuel Ersson carrying the load - and while the young netminder had his moments, the team struggled to find consistency. Philly went 2-3-1 in that six-game stretch, giving up four or more goals in four of those contests.
The low point? A 4-0 shutout loss to the Islanders on Monday that underscored just how much the Flyers have missed Vladar’s steady presence.
Before the injury bug hit, Vladar had been a key part of Philadelphia’s push to stay in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. In 28 starts this season, he’s compiled a 16-7-4 record, with a 2.46 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage - numbers that don’t just look good on paper, but have translated into crucial points in the standings.
At 28 years old, Vladar joined the Flyers over the summer on a two-year deal worth $3.35 million annually through the 2026-27 season. It was a fresh start after four years with the Calgary Flames, where he served primarily as a backup - first to Jacob Markstrom, then to breakout rookie Dustin Wolf. In Philly, he’s carved out a bigger role and made the most of it.
With the Flyers sitting at 24-18-9, they’re currently fourth in the Metropolitan Division - just four points behind the Islanders for third. Every game matters from here on out, and getting Vladar back in net could be the stabilizing force this team needs to regain its footing and keep pace in a crowded playoff chase.
He’s not just returning - he’s returning at a pivotal moment.