Following a lengthy six-game stint on injured reserve, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar is set to make his return to the ice and resume his role as the team’s starting goalie. On Wednesday afternoon, the Flyers announced that the 28-year-old has been officially activated from injured reserve.
In a related roster move, promising goalie prospect Alexei Kolosov has been sent back to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Vladar has not appeared in a game for the Flyers since January 14, when he suffered a lower-body injury during a 5-2 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres. He had saved four of six shots before exiting at the end of the first period. During Vladar’s absence, Kolosov made a single start, allowing three goals on three shots in a 6-3 loss to the New York Rangers.
The Flyers also recently moved defender Big Joe, who has been a key presence on the blue line, leaving the roster to reassign another player to the AHL, as part of their ongoing roster adjustments. Vladar’s previous appearance before injury was in relief against the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he faced 16 shots and saved 13 in a 6-3 game.
Meanwhile, backup goalie Felix Elson remains with the team, holding a record of 2-2-1 over his last six outings, with 19 goals allowed on 149 shots, a 3.61 goals-against average, and an .872 save percentage. Despite these numbers not being ideal, Vladar’s return should provide a much-needed boost as the Flyers’ playoff hopes hinge on improving their goaltending stability. Given his readiness, Vladar now takes control of the crease with the team’s season at a critical juncture.
Adding another layer of intrigue, a former Flyers goaltender is currently making waves with a top NHL team. The Columbus Blue Jackets will host the Flyers at Nationwide Arena Wednesday night, which sets the stage for an interesting matchup involving some familiar faces.
Fan Take: Vladar’s comeback is a critical piece for the Flyers as they push for a playoff spot, and hockey fans should be excited to see if he can steady the net. The story of former Flyers players making an impact elsewhere adds an extra layer of drama, reminding fans how fleeting and interconnected hockey careers can be.
