As we get closer and closer to July 1, it’s looking likelier and likelier that Dan Vladar will be with the Philadelphia Flyers for the foreseeable future.
After impressing in his first season in Philadelphia, Vladar has just one year left on his contract at a $3.35 million cap hit.
He didn’t hide his enthusiasm when asked if he’d be open to signing an extension with the Flyers this summer. When the league calendar switches to next season on July 1, Vladar (and other signed players) will be eligible to sign extensions with their current teams.
Dan Vladar could command starter money on next contract
Last week, David Pagnotta detailed what the Flyers might be looking at in a contract extension for Vladar. The goalie made 51 starts, so it only makes sense that he’s going to get starter money.
“You’re probably looking at a five-year deal in the $5.5- to $6-million range. Something along those lines to keep him around,” Pagnotta said on an episode of DFO Rundown last week. “Yeah, you’re talking about starter money for Dan Vladar. Who, great end to his season, and who was the most important piece going into the playoffs. He basically carried them there. And he wants to be rewarded, and I think the team wants to reward him as well. So, those conversations will surely pick up.”
All signs point to the Flyers rewarding Vladar with that contract extension, and one of the most trusted NHL insiders brought up the likely pact umprompted on Tuesday.
Flyers’ five-year extension with Dan Vladar ‘pretty much done’
Elliotte Friedman joined The FAN Hockey Show ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, and the conversation got to how the Golden Knights and Hurricanes have each used just one goalie this postseason, and what that may mean for the goaltending market this offseason.
“All of a sudden, there’s a lot of goalies out there,” Friedman said, mentioning how Artur Akhtyamov’s play in the Calder Cup Playoffs may lead to the Toronto Maple Leafs looking to move one of their goalies — perhaps in a trade with the Flyers?
He then mentioned the Flyers’ netminder without any prompting.
“Vladar, I think it’s pretty much done. I think he’s got a five-year extension done in Philly,” Friedman said. “They just got to — they can’t announce it. They can’t do anything until July 1 officially, but you’re allowed to talk to the player.”
The Flyers did back themselves into a corner a bit here with Vladar. While rewarding players after a career year can be risky, going into next season with a potentially jaded goalie wouldn’t be great.
Vladar’s two-year, $6.7 million deal he signed with the Flyers last summer was more than his previous two contracts combined. He’s now going to get closer to that per year with his extension on July 1.
Friedman wonders about Sam Ersson’s future in Philadelphia
While a likely Vladar extension is the headliner here, Friedman was also mentioning it to add Sam Ersson’s name to the rumor mill.
“So I wonder what that means for a guy like Ersson,” Friedman concluded.
The writing has been on the wall for Ersson since a tumultuous stretch in the first half of the season. Although he bounced back nicely after the Olympic break to potentially save his Flyers future, it may ultimately be best for both parties to move on.
Ersson could be used in a trade package for another goalie to pair with Vladar, or just dealt for other assets. If a team has a true starter and could use Ersson as the backup, that may be the best path forward for the Swedish tendie.
