Recent Goalie Acquisition Dan Vladar Ready to Compete With Flyers: 'I'm Super Confident'

The Philadelphia Flyers have needed a consistent and reliable goalie tandem for about as long as many fans can remember.

It's been stop and start in terms of forming a pairing that works, involving a seemingly endless rotating cast of characters has exhausted just about everyone involved in the process.

However, with the acquisition of Dan Vladar from the Calgary Flames, Philadelphia has taken a calculated step toward solidifying its crease, hoping to build a balanced and competitive tandem between Vladar and current starter Sam Ersson. 

For the 27-year-old Czech netminder, the trade to Philadelphia represents more than just a fresh jersey—it’s an opportunity to reset, grow, and finally take on a bigger role than the one he left behind in Calgary.

“That’s another reason I wasn’t satisfied with my role in Calgary—I wanted to keep moving forward and I just felt like Philly was the best path for me going forward,” Vladar said. “I’m one hundred percent confident in myself going forward. Whether it’s going to be over 30 games or under 30 games, it all depends on how I’m playing and how Sam is playing, so I’m just gonna do my best, but I’m super confident that I can be playing more games.”

Vladar’s usage in Calgary fluctuated season to season—sometimes looking like the trusted 1B behind Jacob Markström, other times fading into extended stretches of inactivity. That inconsistency left him wanting more.

In Philadelphia, the picture is a bit more open. Ersson has taken meaningful strides as the Flyers’ starter, and while he's being trusted with the No. 1 mantle, the coaching staff understands the importance of managing workload, especially in a league that demands depth at every position. Vladar knows what he’s walking into, and he’s ready to battle—not against his partner, but for team success.

“To be honest, I just want to show up as ready as I can and play my best hockey,” he said of the potential tandem dynamic. “The way it should be is whoever plays the best should be playing. I’m going there to play as many games as I can, but I’m also there for team success…I’ll do my best to play my best hockey and help us win.”

Vladar doesn’t see himself above competition, but rather welcomes the pressure. It’s about performance, and for the first time in years, he feels like he’s in the right environment to prove himself.

That comfort started taking shape even before his deal was finalized. The Flyers’ goalie coach, Kim Dillabaugh, played a pivotal role in convincing Vladar that Philadelphia was the right place to land.

“He was probably the second person I spoke to when I signed the contract…Everybody said the best things about him,” Vladar said. “I feel like it’s going to be the best fit for me, and he’s been super supportive. He’s going to come see me in Prague in a few weeks.”

It’s not just coaches who made an impression. Flyers legend and fellow Czech native Jakub Voráček helped paint the picture of the city and the fanbase for Vladar, providing an honest and enthusiastic endorsement of life in Philadelphia.

“When he was still playing, I used to work out with him, so we had a pretty close relationship,” Vladar said. “He was literally the first person I was talking to about Philly, so he told the best things about the city. ...All the Czech guys love the city and enjoyed their time there, so that was a big reason why I really wanted to come.”

It all adds up to a meaningful decision for Vladar—a player who isn’t looking to coast on what he’s done, but rather chase what’s still possible. With a strong camp, he’ll have the chance to carve out regular starts in the Flyers’ crease, and the structure Rick Tocchet’s system is expected to bring should offer some consistency for both goalies to thrive.

There are still unknowns, of course. Vladar hasn’t played more than 30 games in an NHL season, and the Flyers are banking on the tandem system giving them flexibility while continuing to develop Ersson. But with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear vote of confidence from the organization, Vladar has every chance to make this opportunity count.

He knows it’ll take more than words—only wins and consistency will prove the move was the right one. But he’s showing up with the right mindset: ready to battle, support his teammates, and deliver his best hockey yet.