Flyers’ Vladar Shocks NHL: Named Among League’s Elite Goalies
Dan Vladar: The Philadelphia Flyers’ New Star Goalie Ranked Among NHL’s Best
Who Is Dan Vladar and Why Is Everyone Talking About Him?
Imagine you’re the new kid at school who gets picked last for every team. Then one day, you get your chance to play—and you turn out to be the best player on the field. That’s basically what happened to Dan Vladar with the Philadelphia Flyers!
In 2026, Vladar went from being a backup goalie to becoming one of the top 10 goalies in the entire NHL, according to NHL Network. Let’s break down why this is such a big deal.
The Numbers That Prove He’s Elite
IMPORTANT STAT ALERT
These aren’t just good numbers—they’re historically good for a Flyers goalie!
Here’s what Vladar accomplished in the 2025-26 season:
Regular Season Dominance
- 2.42 Goals Against Average (GAA) — 3rd best in the NHL among goalies who played 35+ games
- 29 wins — Most by a Flyers goalie since Steve Mason in 2013-14 (that’s 12 years!)
- Consistency — Played like a true #1 goalie every single night
Playoff Superstar
Even though the Flyers got swept by the eventual Stanley Cup champions (Carolina Hurricanes), Vladar was phenomenal:
| Stat | Rank | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Save Percentage | #1 | .922 |
| Goals Against Average | #2 | 2.18 |
| Goals Saved Above Expected | #4 | 9.85 |
| Shutouts | Tied | 2 |
WHAT DOES "GOALS SAVED ABOVE EXPECTED" MEAN?
Think of it like this: If an average goalie faces the same shots, they’d let in more goals. Vladar stopped almost 10 extra goals that an average goalie would have allowed. That’s like having a force field!
What the Experts Are Saying
Cory Schneider (former NHL goalie and current NHL Network analyst) had high praise:
"It was a really impressive season for Dan Vladar. We talked about getting your opportunity to be a number one goaltender and running with it—well, that was him to a tee last year."
Schneider also loved what the Flyers did:
- Identified an underutilized talent (Vladar was a backup in Boston and Calgary)
- Signed him at a good price
- Watched him exceed every expectation
The Flyers’ Smart Goalie Strategy
The Old Problem
For years, the Flyers struggled to find a reliable #1 goalie. It was like trying to fill a leaky bucket—nothing worked long-term.
The New Solution: A Dynamic Duo
The Flyers didn’t just stop at Vladar. They made a brilliant move by acquiring Joseph Woll from the Toronto Maple Leafs to replace Sam Ersson.
Why This Is Genius
- Vladar doesn’t have to play every game — No more "must-win" pressure every night
- Woll gets 30-35 games — Fresh legs for Vladar, quality starts for Woll
- More wins early — Team can "bank points" before the playoff push
- Injury insurance — Two capable starters instead of one
THINK OF IT LIKE THIS:
Vladar = Your reliable everyday car
Woll = Your backup sports car for special occasions
Together = You never get stranded!
NHL Network’s Top 10 Goalies (2026)
Here’s the complete list—notice how many are in the Flyers’ division (Metropolitan)!
| Rank | Goalie | Team | Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrei Vasilevskiy | Tampa Bay Lightning | Atlantic |
| 2 | Connor Hellebuyck | Winnipeg Jets | Central |
| 3 | Igor Shesterkin | New York Rangers | Metropolitan |
| 4 | Ilya Sorokin | New York Islanders | Metropolitan |
| 5 | Jeremy Swayman | Boston Bruins | Atlantic |
| 6 | Logan Thompson | Washington Capitals | Metropolitan |
| 7 | Jake Oettinger | Dallas Stars | Central |
| 8 | Dan Vladar | Philadelphia Flyers | Metropolitan |
| 9 | Jesper Wallstedt | Minnesota Wild | Central |
| 10 | Jakub Dobes | Montreal Canadiens | Atlantic |
Fun Fact: 4 of the top 10 play in the Metropolitan Division—that’s the toughest goalie division in hockey!
What’s Next for Vladar and the Flyers?
Key Date to Circle: September 17, 2026
That’s when training camp opens—just one month away!
The Challenge Ahead
Vladar needs to:
- Start strong — Same confidence level as last season’s start
- Stay healthy — 50+ games is a big workload
- Build chemistry — With new teammate Joseph Woll
- Handle expectations — Now he’s "the guy" teams game-plan against
Summary: Why This Matters
THE BIG PICTURE
- Dan Vladar has arrived as a legitimate NHL star
- Ranked 8th among all NHL goalies by NHL Network
- Historic season for a Flyers goalie (29 wins, elite stats)
- Smart team building — Flyers now have two quality starters
- Pressure reduced — Woll partnership means sustainable success
- Division dominance — Metropolitan has 4 of top 10 goalies
- Next test — Training camp starts September 17
The Flyers haven’t had a goalie this good in over a decade. If Vladar picks up where he left off, Philadelphia could be a serious playoff contender for years to come.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: What does "Goals Against Average" (GAA) mean?
A: It’s the average number of goals a goalie allows per 60 minutes of play. Lower is better. Vladar’s 2.42 means he typically allows about 2-3 goals per game—which is excellent!
Q: Why was Vladar a backup in Boston and Calgary if he’s this good?
A: Sometimes teams have established starters (like Linus Ullmark in Boston or Jacob Markström in Calgary). Vladar didn’t get a fair chance to be "the guy" until Philadelphia gave him the keys to the crease.
Q: What is a "shutout" in hockey?
A: When a goalie plays the entire game and doesn’t allow a single goal. Vladar had two in the playoffs—that’s like pitching a perfect game in baseball, but against the best players in the world!
Q: How does Joseph Woll help Vladar?
A: Instead of Vladar playing 60+ games and getting exhausted, Woll takes 30-35 games. This keeps Vladar fresh for the playoffs and removes the pressure of "must-win every night."
Q: Can Vladar stay this good next season?
A: That’s the million-dollar question! He has the talent, the contract security (5-year extension), and now a good partner in Woll. But in hockey, consistency is the hardest thing to maintain. Training camp on September 17 will give us the first clues!
Ready for hockey season? The Flyers’ new goalie duo might just be the most exciting thing to hit Philly sports since the "Legion of Doom" line. Keep an eye on #39 (Vladar) and the new guy Woll—this could be special!