Injured Flames goalie Vladar is done for the season

Dan Vladar’s start for the Calgary Flames on March 12 versus the Colorado Avalanche will be his last this season.

The Flames announced this morning that the 26-year-old will be undergoing hip surgery, which will keep him out for a significant chunk of time. As a result, Dustin Wolf will remain with the team to close out the season, while Jacob Markstrom is set to return from a week-long absence due to a minor lower-body injury.

Dan Vladar will undergo season-ending hip surgery.

Jacob Markstrom has been cleared for full practice and game participation. Dustin Wolf will remain on the roster on an emergency recall basis.

More info: https://t.co/L0X1po9Udl#Flames | @MFradiology pic.twitter.com/t9QvRden3N

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 21, 2024

“The Flames announced today goaltender Dan Vladar will receive season-ending hip surgery next week,” a statement from the team read. “The surgery will allow Vladar the rehabilitation period required for a full recovery and to ensure he is ready to start the 2024-25 NHL season on schedule.

“Additionally, Jacob Markstrom has been cleared for full practice and game participation from his lower-body injury while Dustin Wolf will remain on the Flames roster on an emergency recall basis.”

Though he did put together a few big performances, the 2023-24 season was an overall struggle once again for Vladar. He appeared in just 20 games, posting a 3.62 goals against average (GAA) along with a .882 save percentage (SV%). Those numbers come after what wasn’t a very good 2022-23 campaign, either, as he recorded a 2.83 GAA and a .895 SV% in 27 appearances.

Vladar has one more season remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $2 million. It will be interesting to see how things play out with the Flames regarding their goaltending situation come next season, as they will want to ensure Wolf is on the NHL roster. There is plenty of talk about a Markstrom trade, but if that fails to transpire, it’s possible that Vladar could be the one headed out.

The Flames are currently in the midst of a four-day break, with their next outing coming on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. An expected starter between the pipes has yet to be named, but with the Flames having lost their last outing to the Washington Capitals by a 5-2 final, Markstrom may get the call.

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