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Ex-Calgary Flames goalie Dan Vladar is putting together a terrific playoff run

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Apr 23 2026, 5:34 pm
Ex-Calgary Flames goalie Dan Vladar is putting together a terrific playoff run
Kyle Ross/Imagn Images

Former Calgary Flames goaltender Dan Vladar has put together an incredible 2025-26 season.

The 28-year-old, who served as the Flames’ back-up goalie for four seasons from 2021 to 2025, chose to sign a two-year, $6.7-million deal with the Philadelphia Flyers last summer. Though the Flames were hoping to bring him back, the Flyers presented Vladar with an opportunity to be a starter for the first time in his NHL career.

The Flyers’ decision to sign Vladar has paid off in spades so far. Expected to be a lottery team heading into the season, the Flyers instead finished the 2025-26 campaign with 98 points, good enough for third place in the Metropolitan Division. The 6-foot-5 netminder played a big part in that success, posting a 2.42 GAA along with a .906 SV% in a career-high 52 appearances.

Doubts surrounding Vladar and the Flyers continued into the playoffs, where most expected them to be in trouble going head-to-head against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. That narrative has quickly changed.

Vladar and the Flyers defeated the Penguins by a 5-2 final on Wednesday night to take a 3-0 series lead. While several individuals have stepped up offensively, the biggest storyline thus far has been the play of their goaltender.

Vladar has allowed just four goals through the first three games of this series, giving him a sparkling 1.33 GAA and a .946 SV%. He’s currently third among all goalies in the postseason with a goals saved above average (GSAA) of 2.46.

The only downside to Vladar’s postseason run thus far is that he was nicked up in Wednesday’s win, appearing to injure his hand or wrist area midway through the third period. He was able to remain in the game, suggesting he will be good to go for Game 4 on Saturday night.

Assuming he is indeed healthy, Vladar and the Flyers will have an opportunity to sweep the Pens in what would be a shocking upset. Should they come out victorious, they will await the winner of the Carolina Hurricanes-Ottawa Senators series to determine who they will play in the second round.

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