VOORHEES, N.J. – On the ice, he’s all business.
Off it, Dan Vladar can crack up teammates with the best of them.
And that’s somewhat unusual for goaltenders, who normally tend to keep to themselves because it’s such an intense position.
It’s pretty much a safe assertion that Vladar’s outward personality, in addition to his brilliant hockey skills, are the chief reason the Flyers remain on the perimeter of playoff contention.
Without him, this might already be a lost season.
Vladar says he chose to sign as a free agent with the Flyers last summer partly because he believed he could let his leadership ability see the light of day.
When he skates over to the Flyers’ bench during a timeout to give an impromptu pep talk, coach Rick Tocchet can’t help but smile.
Same reaction from Noah Cates, who appreciates what Vladar brings to the table.
“When he says something, it carries weight,” Cates said after Wednesday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center. “He’s pulling his weight so when he says something, you want to play hard for him because he’s battling his ass off every night and giving us a chance to win.”
Vladar has already played a career-high number of games (32) but shows no signs of slowing down.
He’s won 17 of those games and his goals-against average and save percentage have hovered around the NHL’s top 10 for most of the season.
“He’s been one of our best players this year,” Cates said. “What he does during TV timeouts (in games) or in the locker room is pretty remarkable.
“On the ice he’s been a great addition. He’s nice to be around, he says hi to everyone. Then on the ice he’s pretty funny, too. Just great to be around.”
Vladar, one of three goaltenders who will compete for the Czech Republic in the upcoming Olympic Games, takes all of this “leadership” talk in stride.
When he was looking for a team to sign with last summer, after saying goodbye to the Calgary Flames via free agency, the Flyers came up on the radar because it looked like a team which could use another experienced hand.
“Yes, I think we have a pretty young group,” he said. “Bunch of players who are just about to turn their best age. The future is here for sure.
“Especially me. I’m not a young guy anymore (28). I think I can bring something to the table. Whether it’s a little advice or something that I see. Especially from my view, as a goalie you’re by yourself all the time. So we have a lot of time that we can see stuff from a different view than guys see on the bench.”
Having a strong rapport with all his teammates can make a difference. When players go to block shots headed for their goaltender, it helps if you really want to protect that guy.
Position players might not be shy to offer some advice of their own, too.
“At the same time I’m willing to listen to the guys as well,” Vladar said. “If they see something in my game. If they shoot and score on me (in practice), I ask ‘was there a lot of room there?’ What did you see?”
Actually there haven’t been a lot of conversations because Vladar has been consistently frugal in most games. He’s allowed more than three goals in a game only six times this season.
“I think we try to help each other and push each other,” Vladar says of his teammates. “If we do that we’re going to be in a good spot.”
Those timeout talks have been invaluable.
“I’m doing it for my teammates,” Vladar reiterated. “Whether it’s everyone or one-on-one conversation. If I see a nice play, a guy shooting in a good spot. . .even if the puck rolls on his stick, I tell him he’s doing the right thing.
“If he keeps doing that he’s going to score and or make a nice play, whatever that might be.”
Tocchet grinned when he was reminded he will be coaching against his goaltender when the men’s tournament opens on Feb. 12 in Italy.
“Goalies don’t like to be boisterous a lot,” the coach said. “He doesn’t do it all the time but he does it at a good time. He’s on the positive side.
“Even when we’re down three-nothing, he’ll come over and say, ‘we’re still in the game.’ That’s pretty cool when your goalie says that.”
>Andrae still a question mark
Defenseman Emil Andrae, who leads all Flyers defensemen with a plus-11 but has been scratched the last four games, remains a question mark for Thursday night’s home game against Ottawa.
Tocchet said he’s reluctant to make personnel moves to his penalty kill unit because it has allowed just four goals in the last 27 opponent power-play opportunities.
“Since the Vegas game we’re something like 87 percent,” Tocchet said. “We’re thinking about playing him tomorrow but the PK, that’s where we lose a guy. That’s something we’re discussing.”
>Konecny given another day off
Travis Konecny had another day off from practice. “He’s dealing with some stuff,” Tocchet said. “He wanted to go out today but I didn’t want him out. It’s just bumps and bruises. Sometimes it’s hard to play through those things. The last six weeks he’s really taken it upon himself to make sure his game is clean.”
Be the first to comment