The Calgary Flames announced Thursday that goaltender Dan Vladar will have season-ending hip surgery next week. With Vladar getting the surgery done early, the Flames are hopeful that this will give enough time for the recovery process to ensure he is 100% ready for the 2024-25 campaign.
The Flames also announced that goaltender Jacob Makrstrom is set to return to the crease following his lower-body injury.
Vladar put together an 8-9-2 record and a .886 save percentage through 20 appearances with the Flames this season. The 6-foot-5 netminder is currently in year one of a two-year, $4.4 million contract he signed with the Flames in 2022. The contract has an average annual value (AAV) of $2.2 million.
Markstrom last played on March 9, 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, Markstrom played the full 60-minutes stopping 26 out of 31 shots against. This season, the 34-year-old has compiled a 22-17-2 record to go with a 2.68 goals against average and a .910 save percentage through 41 games this season. According to Moneypuck.com, Markstrom ranks fourth among goals saved above expected with 16.1.
Markstrom previously missed one game due to an illness back in late November, before suffering a finger fracture in December, an ailment that kept him out for seven games. He again missed time in January with a lower-body injury. Throughout his 14 NHL seasons with the Flames, the Vancouver Canucks and the Florida Panthers, Markstrom has a 198-181-57 record with a .909 save percentage in 453 appearances.
The Flames also announced that goaltender Dustin Wolf will remain with the team on an emergency call-up basis. Calgary will face off against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.
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