There are nonetheless some months to go earlier than the 2025 Commerce Deadline, however many gamers are already beginning to be mentioned as potential candidates to be moved. One of many many who’ve been mentioned as of late is Calgary Flames goaltender Dan Vladar, who is ready to change into an unrestricted free agent (UFA) at season’s finish.
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Vladar, who’s again to full well being after present process hip surgical procedure late final season, has carried out admirably in a tandem position with Dustin Wolf. As such, he’s gained some commerce worth after seemingly having none a season in the past. With the Flames already having insurance coverage within the American Hockey League (AHL) in Devin Cooley, transferring Vladar looks like a no brainer, and there are a selection of groups who might actually profit from buying him. Right here’s a have a look at 4 that function wonderful suits.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a extremely gifted group that might be elite if they’d a succesful goaltender. Alexander Georgiev went from unhealthy a season in the past to downright horrendous by means of 13 appearances this season. He has a 3.49 goals-against common (GAA) together with a .871 save proportion (SV%), making him practically unplayable.
The explanation he isn’t fully unplayable is that backup Justus Annunen hasn’t been any higher. The 24-year-old, who entered this season with simply 18 NHL video games below his belt, has an equally unhealthy 3.23 GAA and a .872 SV% by means of his 11 appearances. By some means, the Avalanche nonetheless have a 12-9-0 document, indicating simply how good the remainder of their roster is.
Of all groups throughout the NHL, the Avalanche are probably the most determined for a goalie. That mentioned, they’re considered as Stanley Cup contenders, so they might search to intention for a better calibre goaltender than Vladar. If such an choice doesn’t look like obtainable, nonetheless, the Flames might capitalize on their desperation and want a better return than most would assume doable.
Carolina Hurricanes
One other group that might use some assist in between the pipes is the Carolina Hurricanes. They’ve a strong starter in Frederik Andersen, however in the previous couple of seasons, he appears to be on the injured reserve as a rule. That’s the case as soon as once more, as he’s appeared in simply 4 video games in 2024-25, and is predicted to be out for a relatively prolonged interval.
With Andersen out, Pyotr Kochetkov is serving as their starter. Whereas his 10-2-0 document is spectacular, his .904 SV% is relatively common at greatest. He’s additionally fairly inexperienced. That inexperience, together with Andersen’s damage historical past, might end result within the ‘Canes searching for out an insurance coverage choice, ideally one they don’t should pay a ton to get. That may seemingly make Vladar a strong option to take a flier on.
LA Kings
The LA Kings have gotten off to a strong 12-8-3 begin to the season, which is sweet sufficient for third place within the Pacific Division. That mentioned, they really feel like a group that might wind up falling out of a playoff place because of their relatively unreliable goaltending.
Darcy Kuemper, their number-one choice, is presently on the injured reserve, although he wasn’t notably nice earlier than getting damage with a 2.65 GAA and a .903 SV%. In his absence, the Kings have turned to former Flame David Rittich, who has only a .885 SV% by means of 13 begins.
The Kings do have a good bit of cap area at the moment, however that can change dramatically as soon as Drew Doughty is activated from long-term injured reserve. In consequence, they, just like the Avalanche, would wish to handle their goalie state of affairs with a less expensive choice, making Vladar a fantastic match.
Edmonton Oilers
As everybody is aware of, the Edmonton Oilers are a group that desperately wants assist between the pipes. Nevertheless, as everybody additionally is aware of, the Flames and Oilers have maybe the largest rivalry within the NHL. In consequence, it’s not extraordinary, however fairly unlikely to see them make offers with each other.
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Ought to Oilers administration resolve to handle their goaltending, Vladar could be an choice that is sensible as they too have very restricted cap area. That mentioned, he might price the Oilers greater than every other group within the NHL given the historical past between the 2 organizations.
Flames Have Little Motive to Hold Vladar
As spectacular as Vladar has been in a tandem position with Wolf this season, administration could be higher off capitalizing on his worth sooner relatively than later. In any case, his historical past within the NHL isn’t nice, so it stays to be seen whether or not this stretch of play is what he actually is, or if he’s merely simply using a little bit of a scorching streak. Ought to an honest provide come their means, followers ought to count on to see Vladar on the transfer.
