The Calgary Flames have locked up left-handed defenseman Kevin Bahl, according to the team’s official X account:
KEVIN! 🚨
We have re-signed Kevin Bahl to a six-year contract worth an AAV of $5.35 million!#Flames | @original16beer pic.twitter.com/z3UOklR9K9
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 28, 2025
Bahl, a 6-foot-6, 230-pounder, was a second-round draft pick of the Arizona Coyotes back in 2018. He spent his first four NHL seasons with the New Jersey Devils, appearing in 148 games.
The Devils needed a goaltender, and Bahl was part of the shipment for Jacob Markström. He was productive enough in his first season in Calgary to earn this major payday.
Bahl is not going to contribute much offensively, recording just 3 goals and 20 points for the Flames in 2024-25. However, he’s a smart, safe passer and more than competent in transition. But that is not why Calgary paid him.
For one, Bahl is a very smooth skater for someone his size. He does not look overmatched against smaller, quicker forwards and uses that incredible length to keep them at bay.
Bahl also plays a physical brand of hockey, one that is perfectly suited for the rough, western Canadian style the Flames fans appreciate. Bahl is not exactly a shutdown defender, but he is trustworthy on the back end and should see plenty of time on the second pair.
Bahl was also third in average time on ice for Calgary at 21:23, trailing only MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson among qualified skaters. Look for Bahl, those two, and Zayne Parekh to navigate the Flames’ d-core as the franchise figures out its direction in the coming years.
Calgary still has over $19 million in cap space, and this is far from its last move.
