Dan Vladar Trade Talks Take A Big Hit

The Calgary Flames have a goaltending dilemma. And no, it's not the "what to do with three goalies" dilemma. It's now turned more into a "can we possibly get anyone to take Dan Vladar in a trade, or do we have to demote him" dilemma. 

With two-time AHL Goalie of the Year and league MVP Dustin Wolf toiling away unnecessarily in the AHL, backup Vladar is struggling with the big club. Vladar has been on the trade block, but his performance thus far in two starts — 4.51 GAA and .842 save percentage — leaves many wondering if it's even possible at this point to get another team to take him and his $2.2M cap hit. 

It’s legitimately hilarious they gaslit us into more Vladar after how bad he was last year and how good Wolf was in the AHL https://t.co/Ui9XfVp4NG

— Will Baldwin (@TheWillBaldwin) October 22, 2023 

If the Flames don’t waive Vladar and his 2.2m contract tomorrow, they are not a serious team. Feel bad for him but he has no confidence. https://t.co/42Dmq6VESX

— Barking_Cat_🐈‍⬛ (@a_barkingcat) October 22, 2023 

Dan Vladar has posted a save percentage below .890 in 12 of his last 14 games. #Flames

— Mike Gould (@miketgould) October 22, 2023

Vladar allowed six goals on 30 shots in a 6-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, a SV% of .800.  

The problem is, with many teams who need a goalie so tight to the cap, it's hard to see a front office doing cap gymnastics to try to find space for Vladar, with the way he's performed to this point. 

Brian Costello of The Hockey News has a better suggestion for the Flames: Just simply demote him to the AHL and call up Wolf already—it'll save them some aggravation and some money:

If the Flames demote Dan Vladar and recall Dustin Wolf, they incur a buried penalty of $1.05M on Vladar's $2.2M contract.
With Wolf making $813k, that adds up to $1.863M, a cap savings of $337k and surely better goaltending.
Losing Vladar on waivers would save another $1.05M.

— Brian Costello (@bcostellothn) October 23, 2023

Sending down Vladar and calling up Wolf would lead to a cap savings of $337,000, and if, by chance, they lose Vladar on waivers on the demotion, they'd save another $1.05M. 

GM Craig Conroy must decide on the next move. 

Photo: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports