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Dan Vladar might have one of the more unique and tough job positions in the NHL. Since playing his first NHL games in the 2020-2021 season, Vladar has always been an alternative goaltending option on a competitive team. Some seasons, he was a direct backup goalie, and other times he was farther down the depth chart, but Vladar’s teams were always relatively competitive to start a year, until this season.
The 2024-25 Calgary Flames have low performance expectations, where it would be a pleasant surprise if the team made the playoffs. After trading Jacob Markstrom to New Jersey last season, the Flames have the following goaltenders available:
<ul>
<li>Dan Vladar</li>
<li>Dustin Wolf</li>
<li>Devin Cooley</li>
<li>Waltteri Ignatjew</li>
</ul>
While it may look like the Flames’ starting goalie position is &#8220;free&#8221; and up for grabs, Dan Vladar might have one of the less-favourable jobs in the NHL because:
<ul>
<li>Vladar has always been a backup, so it would be unconventional at age 27 to take a starter’s workload without elite NHL backup numbers/reputation. Fans and management will likely have low expectations.</li>
<li>Top prospect Dustin Wolf will likely be on the NHL roster this season, affecting Vladar’s job security as he challenges for a starter role.</li>
<li>This year’s Calgary Flames team is unlikely to help Vladar’s numbers, making it difficult for Vladar to look like an attractive goaltending option for another team at the trade deadline, for example.</li>
</ul>
With an expectation of facing significantly more shots per game and playing more games, it will be interesting to see how Dan Vladar handles a new level of workload as well as the expected &#8220;wear and tear&#8221; of playing for this season’s Calgary Flames club.
Whichever goalie the Flames choose to start on opening night will be telling regarding how the Flames feel about their goaltending situation. If Vladar gets Game 1, it would not be surprising since the club has been patient with Dustin Wolf’s development for years. If Wolf gets Game 1 and succeeds in a continued audition that began late last season, making Vladar the 2024-25 Calgary Flames backup goalie, it would not be surprising either. October could see a lot of flip-flopping between Vladar, Wolf and Devin Cooley.
However, Vladar is sort of &#8220;stuck&#8221; with not enough reputation/success to earn the NHL starting job right out, while also having to prepare for a season where Calgary will lose a lot of games. It is typically difficult for a goaltender to prove themselves on a bad team.
Therefore, reasonable expectations for Dan Vladar could be the following:
<ul>
<li>Win 10 games</li>
<li>Have a save percentage above 0.890</li>
<li>Mentor Dustin Wolf as he transitions into a full-time NHL role and guide him through the lows of playing for a losing team (help him keep his confidence)</li>
</ul>
If Vladar can provide some sort of value for his goaltending partners and provide above-replacement-level goaltending for the Flames, then fans should have few reasons to be disappointed. There may be other players to focus your disappointment on this season as the team is expected to experience some lows.
Fortunately for Vladar’s situation, there are likely very few eyes on him, with no one waiting for him to become a top-tier starting goalie because he has consistently been a competent backup goalie and is now 27 years old. More eyes will be on Dustin Wolf, so anything that Vladar can do to help the 23-year-old Wolf in his first full NHL season would be great.
It is also great to see that Vladar is <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/vladars-focus-shifts-to-earning-flames-starting-job-after-hip-surgery/"> healthy and ready to compete</a>, regardless of expectations and any negative buzz about the team.
All the best to Dan Vladar this season.
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This article is brought to you by bet365.

Dan Vladar might have one of the more unique and tough job positions in the NHL. Since playing his first NHL games in the 2020-2021 season, Vladar has always been an alternative goaltending option on a competitive team. Some seasons, he was a direct backup goalie, and other times he was farther down the depth chart, but Vladar’s teams were always relatively competitive to start a year, until this season.

The 2024-25 Calgary Flames have low performance expectations, where it would be a pleasant surprise if the team made the playoffs. After trading Jacob Markstrom to New Jersey last season, the Flames have the following goaltenders available:
<ul>
 	<li>Dan Vladar</li>
 	<li>Dustin Wolf</li>
 	<li>Devin Cooley</li>
 	<li>Waltteri Ignatjew</li>
</ul>
While it may look like the Flames’ starting goalie position is "free" and up for grabs, Dan Vladar might have one of the less-favourable jobs in the NHL because:
<ul>
 	<li>Vladar has always been a backup, so it would be unconventional at age 27 to take a starter’s workload without elite NHL backup numbers/reputation. Fans and management will likely have low expectations.</li>
 	<li>Top prospect Dustin Wolf will likely be on the NHL roster this season, affecting Vladar’s job security as he challenges for a starter role.</li>
 	<li>This year’s Calgary Flames team is unlikely to help Vladar’s numbers, making it difficult for Vladar to look like an attractive goaltending option for another team at the trade deadline, for example.</li>
</ul>
With an expectation of facing significantly more shots per game and playing more games, it will be interesting to see how Dan Vladar handles a new level of workload as well as the expected "wear and tear" of playing for this season’s Calgary Flames club.

Whichever goalie the Flames choose to start on opening night will be telling regarding how the Flames feel about their goaltending situation. If Vladar gets Game 1, it would not be surprising since the club has been patient with Dustin Wolf’s development for years. If Wolf gets Game 1 and succeeds in a continued audition that began late last season, making Vladar the 2024-25 Calgary Flames backup goalie, it would not be surprising either. October could see a lot of flip-flopping between Vladar, Wolf and Devin Cooley.

However, Vladar is sort of "stuck" with not enough reputation/success to earn the NHL starting job right out, while also having to prepare for a season where Calgary will lose a lot of games. It is typically difficult for a goaltender to prove themselves on a bad team.

Therefore, reasonable expectations for Dan Vladar could be the following:
<ul>
 	<li>Win 10 games</li>
 	<li>Have a save percentage above 0.890</li>
 	<li>Mentor Dustin Wolf as he transitions into a full-time NHL role and guide him through the lows of playing for a losing team (help him keep his confidence)</li>
</ul>
If Vladar can provide some sort of value for his goaltending partners and provide above-replacement-level goaltending for the Flames, then fans should have few reasons to be disappointed. There may be other players to focus your disappointment on this season as the team is expected to experience some lows.

Fortunately for Vladar’s situation, there are likely very few eyes on him, with no one waiting for him to become a top-tier starting goalie because he has consistently been a competent backup goalie and is now 27 years old. More eyes will be on Dustin Wolf, so anything that Vladar can do to help the 23-year-old Wolf in his first full NHL season would be great.

It is also great to see that Vladar is <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/vladars-focus-shifts-to-earning-flames-starting-job-after-hip-surgery/"> healthy and ready to compete</a>, regardless of expectations and any negative buzz about the team.

All the best to Dan Vladar this season.
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Can Dan Vladar thrive with a larger workload with the Calgary Flames in 2024-25?

Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) guards his net against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome.

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