Flyers Extend Vladar
Philadelphia Flyers Nearing Five-Year Extension Deal with Goaltender Dan Vladar Valued at Mid-$5 Million AAV
The Philadelphia Flyers are closing in on a five-year contract extension with goaltender Dan Vladar, with an average annual value in the mid-$5 million range, according to HockeyFeed and Heavy Sports. The deal cannot be made official until July 1 due to NHL rules — Vladar still has one year left on his current two-year, $6.7 million contract.
NHL insider Kevin Weekes broke the story on June 14, reporting that Vladar and the Flyers were "closing in on a 5 Yr Contract Extension." TSN's Pierre LeBrun quickly confirmed it, adding that the deal would land "in the 5-6 year range" with a cap hit "in the 5's," per Sporting News.
Vladar's Breakout Season Forced the Flyers' Hand
Vladar, 28, signed with Philadelphia last July 1 on what looked like a low-risk, two-year deal. He had never played more than 30 games in a single NHL season before. That changed fast. He appeared in a career-high 52 regular-season games in 2025-26, going 29-14-7 with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage, according to HockeyFeed.
His advanced numbers were even sharper. Vladar tied for first in the NHL with a .937 five-on-five save percentage. He then carried that form into the playoffs — 10 games, a 2.18 GAA, a .922 save percentage, and two shutouts, including a 42-save effort to close out the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the first round.
Flyers GM Briere Calls Vladar the Team's MVP
Flyers general manager Daniel Briere made his feelings clear at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo on June 3. He named Vladar the team's MVP and said an extension was a "priority." "He was our MVP, so it's tough to not like what he's done," Briere said. "It feels like he wants to be in Philly, and we want him there," according to Heavy Sports.
Head coach Rick Tocchet echoed that praise. "He wanted to be a number one. He worked on it this summer, and he's just a terrific guy," Tocchet said. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman had already reported on June 2 that a deal was "pretty much done" — it just needed the calendar to flip to July 1, per Heavy Sports.
A $5.5 Million Anchor in a Rising Cap Era
The proposed deal works out to roughly $27.5 million over five years — about $5.5 million per year. That is a big jump from Vladar's current $3.35 million AAV. But with the NHL salary cap rising to $104 million for 2026-27 — an $8.5 million increase — the hit is more manageable than it looks, according to Sporting News.
The Flyers enter next season with around $37-38 million in projected cap space. They still need to re-sign restricted free agents Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale. Vladar's extension also likely signals the end for backup Sam Ersson in Philadelphia. Ersson posted an .867 save percentage in 2025-26, and the team may look for a veteran replacement, per Heavy Sports.
Analysts Split on Five-Year Term for a Late Bloomer
Not everyone loves the length of the deal. Local sports radio hosts on 94WIP have raised concerns about committing five years to a goalie with just one full season as a starter. Critics point to cases like Jake Oettinger in Dallas as warnings that one breakout year does not guarantee long-term elite play, according to Heavy Sports.
Supporters argue the opposite. Goaltending has been described as "the bane of the Philadelphia Flyers' existence" for a decade. Locking up a proven starter lets the team avoid rushing prospects Aleksei Kolosov or Carson Bjarnason, who are still 2-3 years from NHL readiness. If Vladar finishes the deal, he could become one of only three goalies — alongside Ron Hextall and Bernie Parent — to play seven or more seasons in a Flyers uniform, per Sporting News.
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