Boston Bruins Sign Daniel Vladar To Improve Goaltending Depth
Boston Bruins Sign Daniel Vladar To Improve Goaltending Depth After Drafting Him In The Third Round Of The 2015 Draft
The Boston Bruins have signed Czech goaltender Daniel Vladar to a three-year entry-level contract. The 6-foot-6 goalie prospect was drafted with the third-round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft with the 75th overall selection.
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
During the 2015-16 season, Daniel Vladar played for the Chicago Steel of the USHL and posted a very respectable 2.31 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage — both good for fifth in the USHL — along with three shutouts in 30 games played. Despite his impressive individual statistics, Vladar was only able to compile a record of 12-12-4, but that’s more of an indication of the team in front of him as opposed to the man in net.
Prior to joining the Chicago Steel, Vladar played in 29 games with HC Klando where he compliled a 2.78 goals-against average as well as a .926 save percentage.
The 18 year old Vladar, who will only turn 19 in August, will provide the Bruins some extra depth within their system at the goalie position. The Bruins already have goaltenders Jeremy Smith, Malcolm Subban, and Zane McIntyre within their AHL system who have each shown their level of talent at different points of the 2015-16 season. Zane McIntyre, who made the jump from college hockey to the AHL this season, had more hiccups with the transition than the Bruins’ had hoped, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is still a talented goalie prospect who could flourish with more experience and confidence.
Next: Seth Griffith Report Card
At 6-foot-6, Daniel Vladar is certainly a massive talent who could develop into an NHL goaltender if he puts the work in. The Boston Bruins are likely looking for a new backup goaltender once again next season as Jonas Gustavsson was solid, but not good enough when it mattered most last season. The Bruins could look at free agent options this offseason, but the talent level within their system could provide them with their new back-up at the end of the preseason. Jeremy Smith and Malcolm Subban are likely going to get long looks in the preseason and throughout training camp while Daniel Vladar and Zane McIntyre will likely compete for a larger role with Providence in the AHL.