When it comes to the 2015 NHL Entry Draft for the Boston Bruins, everyone will talk about the botched first round by general manager Don Sweeney. You remember: three straight potential franchise-altering picks at No. 13, 14, and 15.
Eleven years later, that botched first round continues to haunt fans and will for a very long, long time. None of the first-round picks- Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk, or Zach Senyshyn are anywhere near the organization. DeBrusk is currently with the Vancouver Canucks and not living up to the big free-agent contract he signed two summers ago.
However, later in the draft eleven summers ago, the Bruins had a third-round pick, 75th overall, and Sweeney used it to take goalie Dan Vladar. A lot of teams were high on Vladar, which prompted Sweeney to take him in the third round. It should come as no surprise that he has left the organization and found not only success but a huge payday. His years of playing in the American Hockey League (AHL) have paid off, with him suddenly becoming one of the top goalies in the NHL.
Former Bruins goalie lands in the top 10 goalie list in 2026
On Sunday night, the NHL Network released the top 10 goalies for 2026, and Vladar came in at No. 8. Was it surprising? Yes, a little, but after the 2025-26 season he had, it shouldn't come as a surprise. He signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Flyers last summer for two years and $6.7 million.
All Vladar did in 2025-26 was assume the No. 1 netminder duties in Philadelphia and go 29-14-7 in 52 games with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. He helped the Flyers secure third place in the Metropolitan Division and a first-round playoff date with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Vladar helped the Flyers bounce their in-state rivals before falling to eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.
It was a win-win season for Vladar. He not only landed at No. 8 on the NHL Network's list but also earned himself a five-year extension that carries an AAV of $5.5 million. Vladar was traded by Sweeney to the Calgary Flames for a third-round draft pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Vladar is the latest young netminder to leave the Bruins organization and find success elsewhere. Look at what happened to Brandon Bussi this past season. He left in free agency and ended up winning the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes. Could the Bruins have either goalie still on the roster as Jeremy Swayman's backup after he landed No. 5 on the NHL Network's list on Sunday night? Sure, but both have found success elsewhere in the NHL.
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