Calgary Flames goaltender Dan Vladar (80) (Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)
Coming into the final day of the 2025 IIHF World Championships, Czechia and Calgary UFA goalie Dan Vladar was leading the goalies in the tournament with a save percentage of 95.06.
That is, until Leonardo Genoni of Switzerland came into the gold medal game and made 39 saves from 40 shots against team USA, taking not only the lead with 95.33% (a miniscule difference of just 0.27!), but also winning the MVP award of the tournament.
No shame in coming second to a goalie who won MVP, as they say (or someone should say at least).
Now we know usually a world championship doesn’t count for much, but believe it or not, Vladar ranked BETTER than Four-Nations winning goalie Jordan Binnington and All-Stars Jeremy Swayman and Jacob Markstrom, who were also participating in the tournament.
While it is certain the starter role belongs to Calder Trophy nominee Dustin Wolf, because of the 27-year-old Czech’s experiences both internationally and in the NHL as a backup, the Flames should certainly consider re-signing him for the same role with Calgary next season.
He will be reliable for a franchise with promising goalie prospects like Arsenii Sergeev and Owen Say in the system.
These goaltenders need time for development and bringing back Vladar will allow the Flames not to rush these prospects quickly into NHL action.
Signing him at a cheaper contract than the $2.2 million AAV in his previous one would also give the most bang for buck.