Report: Vladař, Flyers Closing in on Contract Extension

According to NHL insider Kevin Weekes, the Philadelphia Flyers are nearing the finish line over a contract extension for goaltender Dan Vladař.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman alluded to the possibility of a long-term extension a little while ago, but nothing can be announced until the 1st of July, when Vladař is officially eligible to sign an extension.

After claiming the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the team MVP, Vladař followed up a successful regular season with an extremely strong showing in the postseason that included a series-clinching shutout victory in overtime over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6.

For his efforts, the Flyers have been working quickly on extending the netminder to what is likely going to be a 5-year extension worth $5 million-$5.5 million per season. The likely extension won’t kick in until 2027-28, as his current $3.35 million AAV contract expires after the 2026-27 season.

There were a lot of question marks regarding Vladař’s signing last summer but he quickly quieted his doubters in what became a career-year for the Czechia native. He went 29-14-7 in 52 games (51 starts) with a 2.42 GAA and a .906 SV%. He finished second in the league in GAA, sixth in Vezina Trophy voting, and 18th in the Hart Trophy race for league MVP.

Although he finished with a 4-6 record in the postseason, his .922 SV% is still third in the NHL playoff circuit and he added a 2.18 GAA and 2 shutouts.

The 28-year-old was also named to Czechia’s Olympic team, where he backed up Lukáš Dostál and appeared in one game, allowing 3 goals on 12 shots but claiming the win. With the World Cup of Hockey set for 2028, look for Vladař to keep the momentum going and hopefully claim the starter’s job with a strong showing for the Flyers in the interim.

The Flyers’ goaltending situation is now firmly in Vladař’s hands. Carson Bjarnason and Yegor Zavragin are still developing in the minor leagues and Russia – and likely nowhere near NHL-ready – meaning this extension partially solidifies the crease for the foreseeable future.

Questions remain about the backup situation, but at the very least, the Flyers sound very confident in their starter.