Flames defenceman Kevin Bahl’s season has ended after rupturing his Achilles tendon while warming up for Friday night’s match-up against the Anaheim Ducks.
The 26-year-old left side defender served as head coach Ryan Huska’s go-to in terms of crucial D-zone assignments.
“It was just a terrible break for a guy that I would consider our best player up to this point of the season,” Huska told the media on Sunday. “And unfortunately, sometimes things happen, and because of that, we’re missing a really good player for the rest of the year.”
The Westminster, BC product had a goal and an assist in 16 games this season while averaging 21:56 a night; good for 1st among all Flames skaters.
So, the Flames lose their most reliable defenceman. Right-handed Brayden Pachal was called up from the Calgary Wranglers on Sunday in response and serves as an option. It’s worth noting that the 6-foot-2 Estevan, Saskatchewan product has played the odd game on his off-side over his 148 games with the Flames, but he’s never stuck attempting to squeeze into the lineup by doing so.
Five factors to consider as the Flames move forward without their top defenceman:
1. The Situation Royally Sucks for Kevin
Not much more to say on from that aspect. Out of the game for the next nine months and three weeks. Physio, physio, physio. Before we get to how the team responds, it’s important to note how much this sucks for Kevin Bahl.
2. Point Total
Surely, this affects where the Flames finish. Currently in 24th place league-wide and seven points out of a wildcard spot; there is room to fall.
If a primary objective out of this season for the Flames is to secure a high pick, well, they better get to work. Their 15 points in 17 games more than doubles Vancouver’s seven points in 19 games.
NHL Standings (Ranks 23–32)
23. St. Louis Blues
17 GP | 7-8-2 | 16 PTS
24. Calgary Flames
17 GP | 7-9-1 | 15 PTS
25. Winnipeg Jets
17 GP | 6-8-3 | 15 PTS
26. San Jose Sharks
19 GP | 7-11-1 | 15 PTS
27. Columbus Blue Jackets
15 GP | 7-8-0 | 14 PTS
28. Pittsburgh Penguins
17 GP | 6-9-2 | 14 PTS
29. Los Angeles Kings
15 GP | 5-8-2 | 12 PTS
30. Philadelphia Flyers
18 GP | 4-10-4 | 12 PTS
31. Chicago Blackhawks
18 GP | 4-13-1 | 9 PTS
32. Vancouver Canucks
19 GP | 3-15-1 | 7 PTS
The Calgary Flames are three points away from 30th place with 67 games to go. Plenty of time to find their way into the bottom five. Knowing them, they’ll somehow continue to flirt with .500.
3. Up for Grabs
You have to wonder who takes that spot. We saw Joel Hanley slot in and score a heartwarming goal in Calgary’s 5-3 loss to the Ducks on Friday—but did he have a good game?
The goal was a highlight, but Hanley was on the ice for two goals against.
Both were crucial goals for Anaheim. A tying goal to put the game at 1-1 and a Tristan Luneau marker that made the score 2-3 for the Ducks—but neither were particularly Joel’s fault. The first was a turnover by Nemec that saw fourth line winger Jeff Mallott skate the puck out front and the other was blown coverage from now-center Yegor Sharangovich.
If it’s up to Ryan Huska, he’s probably going with the tried and trusted Joel Hanley. If the Flames want a younger player getting an opportunity, 21-year-old Axel Hurtig would be interesting.
With three goals and two assists, Hurtig is on pace for 15 goals, 10 assists and 108 penalty minutes over 72 games.
Do we see Pachal slot in and play his off-side? Does Zayne Parekh move to the left side? Time will tell.
4. Space to Grow
Regardless of who gets a chance to play, the Flames are now without their best defenceman. Here is a look at the pairings we saw in Calgary’s first game without Kevin Bahl:
Hanley-Nemec
Middleton-Whitecloud
Kuznetsov-Parekh
That’s a rough left side. We’ll see what Huska chooses to do, but it’s possible that Kuznetsov will be leaned on heavily. Middleton has been a disaster in his own end and the Hanley-Nemec pairing have proven unreliable in their brief stint.
At the end of the day, this is a rebuilding team with no illusions of making the playoffs. While losing Kevin Bahl may be considered devastating for a wildcard contender such as Anaheim, Utah, or Nashville—we’re likely not seeing the Flames hitting the trade market for a replacement.
On an unrelated note, 23-year-old, left shot defenceman Simon Edvinsson has until Dec. 1 to sign a contract with the Red Wings. If he doesn’t, he will be ineligible to play for the remainder of the 2026-27 regular season.
The Onsala, Sweden product put up nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points last season while playing behind Moritz Seider on the Red Wings depth chart.
5. Accelerating the Rebuild
Let’s propose a mock trade for the sixth overall pick from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Just for fun.
To Calgary
D Simon Edvinsson
To Detroit
D Carson Carels
Sixth overall for sixth overall. Defenceman for defenceman. Fans from both sides will be angry. The sign of a fair trade.
Why Detroit Accepts
Simon’s situation is a disaster. The deal may set back Detroit’s “rebuild” a few seasons, but to leave the situation with a future top-4 defenceman certainly beats most offers that are likely structured around a roster player, a B-level prospect and a late first round pick.
Why Calgary Accepts
Carels is a great prospect with no issues signing with the Flames. He has the potential to be their #1 defenceman a few years down the road. Why trade that away for a defenceman holding out for a bigger paycheck?
Five years of development.
Craig Conroy and Flames management have been completely transparent about what they’re looking for over the past 3.2 seasons; NHL ready prospects. Simon Edvinsson steps into the lineup with three full seasons of experience. Plenty of RFA control.
Bahl’s temporary vacancy is filled with a developing core piece and a blue line is ready to develop into a contender. Just add ice time. The wingers are in a good place and the league is brimming with options if any aren’t carrying their weight. Conroy then has to then only focus on the center position. How hard could that be?
Too good (or bad) to happen. Fun to talk about though.
Statistics courtesy of Elite Prospects, Capwages, and the National Hockey League.
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