Throughout the season, it’s been a three-man race as to who has been the guy the Flyers have gone to all season. For most of the year it was Trevor Zegras. But he’s slowed down a bit on his points pace. Winger Travis Konecny has picked up the slack and now leads the team in points, yet even he’s had some games and moments that he’d like to have back. The one guy that has managed to be even keel most of the way — and been one of the brightest and biggest lights thus far — is goaltender Dan Vladar. Vladar arrived in the summer with many thinking he’d be a decent back up to Sam Ersson. Vladar had other ideas. And throughout the first four months and change of the 2025-26 season, he’s been not just the team’s unsung hero most nights. He’s been piping up and taking charge in terms of leadership.

Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet acknowledged that after Vladar’s strong effort Tuesday night against Washington. The netminder was solid throughout the night, whether it was making some quality stops in the clutch or keeping things tidy after the Capitals tied things up earlier in the third. “Yeah, he’s a leader,” Tocchet said following the Flyers’ 4-2 win Tuesday night. “I forget when he came by our bench. He said, ‘Guys, why are you holding your heads down? Let’s go here!’ And I love that. It’s good to hear that. He’s our goalie and he’s got a lot of character. He’s been like that all year.”

Although Vladar is still looking for his first shutout of the season, he’s been money most of the way. He currently sits eleventh with a goals-against average of 2.49, he has a 17-8-5 record, good enough for sixteenth league wide. And his save percentage remains at a very solid .904. It’s been some time since a Philadelphia goaltender has had a save percentage over .900 this deep into the season. Vladar has answered a lot of questions. His consistency has been crucial to Philadelphia, especially in a season where the whole thought process former coach John Tortorella had with blocking shots essentially went out the window and was replaced by Tocchet’s approach, namely let the goalie see the first shot and take care of the rest. He’s also becoming a cap-friendly steal, knowing the Flyers have him locked up for another season at a very economical cap hit.

One of the biggest assets Vladar has brought is a steadiness, not just in goal but on the team in general. He’s hardly ever let a goal in where he’s soon glaring at a defenseman for a missed assignment, smashing his stick on the ice from being irked, or simply shrugging his shoulders in frustration. He slides the puck out of the net, resets, and more often than not nixes any chances the opposition will pot two or three behind him in quick succession. It’s a subtle reaction, but it speaks volumes to the defensemen and forwards in front of him. They’re all in this together and everyone is pulling their weight. It also speaks to Vladar’s maturity and experience, even if he’s only had 105 National Hockey League games under his belt before the 32 games he’s been in this year.

“I don’t get too high from this,” Vladar said after the win. “Still keep grinding, still the same mentality we had this game and the game before that against Los Angeles. I think we’ll be fine. I just try to bring the same mentality every time, whether you lose or you win or whether you have a good or bad game.”

The goalie also seems to know when to speak up, not being the constant cheerleader that can sometimes gnaw at teammates who have hit the skids in recent weeks. He picks his spots, says what needs to be said, and then skates back to his net to do his job. That’s not to say Vladar hasn’t had a few brief rough spots. In January he had four starts where his save percentage was under .900. Prior to that, Vladar had five starts in that similar vein. Interestingly enough, his being named to Team Czechia at the upcoming Winter Olympics appeared to coincide with the slight dip. But he’s looking good again, and looks like he’s fully recovered from the injury he suffered against Buffalo last month. It’s no surprise that when Vladar was out, the Flyers faltered. Whether he’s able to drag the Flyers back into the playoff mix with a run of ridiculously stellar play remains to be seen. For now, Vladar has been everything the Flyers could’ve hoped for. And more.