The curious case of Calgary Flames’ Dan Vladar

Dan Vladar picked up his most important win of the season in the Calgary Flames 4-3 overtime victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night. 

The contest marked Vladar’s fourth start since the start of 2022. Seeing the 24-year-old get the nod between the pipes came as a huge surprise to most, especially considering the Flames were up against the league’s best team.

While there were a number of nervy moments for the netminder in Colorado, Vladar battled heroically throughout, showcasing his ability to overcome and defy the odds. He made a few key saves, particularly in the third when the game was tied, to notch his eighth win of the season.

Vladar improved to 8-3-1 in 12 starts this season, a remarkable record considering the challenges he’s faced.

Playing in Jacob Markström’s immense shadow

There are a number of pros and cons associated with watching Jacob Markström do his thing on a nightly basis. Vladar gets a rare opportunity to learn from one of the league’s best netminders. Seeing how a goalie of Markström’s calibre performs and competes on a daily basis can only help improve Vladar’s overall quality.

However, it can’t be easy riding the pine as much as Vladar does. Darryl Sutter has shown almost no faith in Vladar at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary’s backup netminder picked up a win against Columbus in the one game Sutter started him at home. It’s not just the lack of faith Sutter has in Vladar on home ice, but the abundance of belief he has in his Markström that contributes to the backup’s almost non-existent minutes.

Markström is 14-4-5 at the Dome. That outstanding record almost completely eradicates any chance of Vladar getting the nod in Calgary. Most backup goaltenders are accustomed to not starting contests. That expectation has been taken to a whole new level in Calgary. I’m surprised Dan hasn’t engraved “Vladar’s seat” on the end of the bench at the Dome where backup netminders reside.

His palpable inactivity on home ice makes his performances and record (7-3-1) on the road even more impressive. Two of his three losses came at Tampa Bay and Carolina, not exactly shameful places to lose.

While his road save percentage (0.904) and goals against average (2.95) don’t strike you as numbers that conventionally breed success, it’s his compete level and ability to fight through adversity that have translated into a collection of wins. His impressive record is aided by the Flames’ ability to score in bundles, seemingly at will when Vladar plays.

However, take nothing away from what he’s accomplished when called upon so far this season, especially in enemy territory.

His game time probably won’t increase much. Nobody is under any illusion that it will. He might get a few more starts if Calgary secures top spot in the division early; otherwise Vladar will expect the status quo in terms of workload.

What matters most is what Vladar does with his rare starts. If he keeps on winning at his current ratio, Sutter will be over the moon with the 24 year old’s overall contribution. And so will every Flames fan.