The Philadelphia Flyers found their goalie reinforcements, signing free agent netminder Dan Vladar to a two-year deal to kick off the opening of NHL free agency.
Vladar, 27, has signed a two-year deal with the Flyers worth $6.7 million ($3.35 million AAV), making him the only goalie in the organization with pro experience signed beyond the upcoming 2025-26 season.
With Vladar now in the fold, it would appear Philadelphia will platoon him and incumbent Sam Ersson as the new goalie tandem.
It had previously been reported that Ivan Fedotov will start the season in the AHL as the Flyers’ No. 3 goalie.
Vladar has spent the last four seasons with the Calgary Flames, primarily serving as the backup to Jacob Markstrom and, later, Dustin Wolf.
The 6-foot-5 Prague native appeared in 30 games for the Flames this season, posting a 12-11-6 record, a 2.80 GAA, a .898 save percentage, and two shutouts.
By extension, this was also Vladar’s best season as a Flame since his first, when he went 13-6-2 with a 2.75 GAA, a .906 save percentage, and two shutouts back in 2021-22.
Still on the younger side and relatively experienced, the Flyers hope the 27-year-old Vladar (soon to be 28) can establish himself as a reliable rotational piece between the pipes and, presumably, as their backup goalie of the future with a successful stint in Philly.