VOORHEES, N.J. – The sigh of relief by hockey fans could be heard from Scranton to Sea Isle City.
Flyers followers learned on Wednesday that the right arm injury suffered by goaltender Dan Vladar in Tuesday night’s game at Boston is not cause for great concern.
Officially, he’s listed as day-to-day, although his availability for Wednesday night’s NHL opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins might not be on his dance card.
For the moment, backup Joseph Woll could be the starter against Sidney Crosby & Co.
Coach Rick Tocchet gave the impression this situation could have been worse but it appears will have a favorable outcome.
“Any kind of that situation, you dodge a bullet,” Tocchet said after Wednesday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center. “So I think we dodged a bullet.
“He (Vladar) is in good spirits today.”
Tocchet wouldn’t say if Vladar will be made available for the season opener.
“I don’t know,” the coach said. “It could be 48 hours, 72. . .”
The 28-year-old Woll was acquired from Toronto in an offseason trade for these types of situations.
“I think the one thing, we’re lucky he’s got a real intelligent mind,” Tocchet said. “He actually looks at the systems. With ‘Woller,’ he studies what we’re doing. That helps.
“So I think he knows how important he is to us and he’s going to play some games for us.”
Tocchet said he has no worries if Woll ends up playing a game or two at season’s start.
“Very comfortable,” the coach said. “I’ve got some good intel from (ex-Toronto coach) Craig Berube. He really speaks highly of him. So we’re in good shape with that.”
Woll knew there would be times where he might have to fill in for Vladar. He just didn’t expect it to happen this early.
He said he would be comfortable if the opportunity presents itself.
“I think I’ve proven that I can do that in my career,” he said. “My goal from the start with this team was to help them out where I can. Whatever situation that means. Doesn’t really change my process, day to day, or my mindset.”
What have been the biggest challenges coming to a new team for the first time?
“Everything’s been a little different,” Woll said. “I’ve been in Toronto for my entire career. Things are run a little differently. It’s getting acclimated and comfortable in a new environment.
“Of course, coming to a team where you don’t know many guys, it’s important to get close to the team. Build that off-ice chemistry. But it’s all fun challenges. It’s exciting to do something new.”
All this is really not completely new to Woll, who was taken by Toronto in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft.
“I’ve had all different experiences,” he said. “Jumping right into the fire, having to build. . .playing all different roles on a team. What I’ve learned is to stay as consistent as you can.
“Just looking forward to getting things going.”
It might not be ideal to jump into the starter role right away but Woll will make the best of it.
“It’s not easy,” the Missouri native said. “But that’s the job. You have to learn how to play in any scenario. Things are not always going to be perfect.
“Over the summer I tried to learn systematically how the team likes to play. I think it’s important to get a sense of that. Get more comfortable from what I can expect from the group.”
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