Daniel Vladař Returns to Net as Flyers Look to Halt Slide
The Flyers are getting a much-needed boost between the pipes tonight. Head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed that Daniel Vladař will start against the Blue Jackets, marking his return after a six-game absence due to injury. He’ll be activated off injured reserve ahead of puck drop, with the team expected to send waiver-exempt Aleksei Kolosov back to AHL Lehigh Valley to make room on the roster.
For a team that’s gone 2-6-2 over its last 10 games and is now four points behind the Islanders in the playoff race, getting Vladař back in net is more than just good news - it’s essential.
Vladař had been enjoying a breakout season before going down in a Jan. 14 start against the Sabres, exiting late in the first period with an undisclosed injury. He returned to practice earlier this week, giving him a few days to get back up to speed before tonight’s start.
And make no mistake - this isn’t just a routine return. Vladař has been one of the Flyers’ most important players this season, and arguably one of the best value signings of the 2025 offseason. After joining Philadelphia on a two-year, $6.7 million deal last summer, the 28-year-old has stepped into the starting role and delivered the kind of stability the Flyers haven’t had in net for years.
Through 28 starts, he’s posted a .905 save percentage and a 2.46 goals-against average, along with a 16-7-4 record. Those numbers don’t just look good on paper - they’ve translated into real wins for a team that’s struggled to find its footing elsewhere.
The advanced metrics back it up, too. Vladař has saved 8.5 goals above expected this season, putting him firmly in the league’s top 20 by that measure.
And while his recent form had dipped a bit - just 1.9 GSAx over his last 10 games, per MoneyPuck - that’s still a far cry better than what the Flyers have gotten from their other options. Backup Samuel Ersson has struggled to a .860 save percentage, while Kolosov has posted just a .830 mark in limited NHL action.
In short, Vladař has been the anchor - or maybe the life raft - for a Flyers team trying to stay afloat in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff picture. Whether you want to call him the team’s MVP or Most Improved Player, there’s no denying his impact.
Now, with the season entering a critical stretch and the Flyers desperate to claw their way back into the postseason mix, all eyes turn to Vladař. If he can pick up where he left off, Philadelphia might still have time to right the ship.