Dan Vladar took a notable step Saturday morning, getting through an hour-long skate with a small group of teammates as the Flyers keep their fingers crossed for their top goalie’s status ahead of next Wednesday’s regular-season opener against the Penguins at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The 29-year-old, who is working back from an upper-body injury, remains day to day. But Rick Tocchet sounded encouraged after watching Vladar on the ice.
“He had a good skate yesterday and he'll hit the ice today, too,” Tocchet said Saturday.
Vladar was on the ice with Joseph Woll, while Carl Grundstrom and Simon Benoit fired pucks at the goaltenders. He had been injured in the first period of Tuesday night’s preseason game at TD Garden, leaving while hunched over and favoring his right arm and stick hand.
The Flyers are clearly treating Vladar as a critical piece, and the numbers explain why. Last season, he set career highs with 52 games played, 29 wins and a 2.42 goals-against average. In the playoffs, he put up a 2.18 goals-against average, a .922 save percentage and two shutouts in 10 starts.
That value wasn’t lost on Danny Briere, who praised Vladar after the Flyers signed him to a five-year contract extension this summer.
“Dan I think exceeded expectations last year,” Briere said. “Not just on the ice, but also off the ice, too.
Tremendous leader, tremendous human being. The way he interacted in the room with the guys.
He found a way to get them going and wanted more. ... It's more than just his play on the ice.
He was huge in our locker room. I don't expect that to change.”
Vladar wasn’t the only injured Flyer to draw attention Saturday. Denver Barkey was not part of the morning skate group as he continues to deal with a lower-body injury. The 21-year-old is also day to day, and Tocchet said it’s “possible” he could be available for the opener.
“We're hopeful for all the injured guys,” Tocchet said.
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