Flyers G Dan Vladar activated from IR, set to start vs. Blue Jackets

The Philadelphia Flyers activated starting goaltender Dan Vladar off injured reserve on Wednesday after a two-week stint.

He's set to start in net for Wednesday's game against the host Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia coach Rick Tocchet told reporters.

Vladar, 28, signed a two-year, $6.7 million contract with the Flyers over the summer after spending the last four seasons as a backup in Calgary. He has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury sustained Jan. 14 vs. Buffalo.

That delayed what has been a breakout season for Vladar, who already has a career-high 16 wins and will tie his career high with his 29th start of the season against the Blue Jackets. He also is on pace for a career-best goals-against average (2.46), and his .905 save percentage is just off his career-best .906 set in 2021-22.

"He's been very consistent for us. A really competitive guy," Tocchet said of Vladar. "He adds a lot to our locker room. For a goalie, he's a guy who likes to be involved with the players with instructions. He's going to add a lot to our room, on the ice and off the ice."

In six games without him, Philadelphia has gone 2-3-1 and is tied for fourth in the Atlantic Division, four points behind the third-place New York Islanders.

The timing also is ideal for Vladar's Olympic candidacy. He's one of three goalies tabbed to represent Czechia in the Milan-Cortina Olympics and, now healthy, is poised to backup Lukas Dostal starting Feb. 12 vs. Canada.