Kevin Bahl's blueline experience more important than ever for Flames

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeSportsHockeyNHLCalgary Flames Kevin Bahl's blueline experience more important than ever for Flames While Bahl is only 26, he now has the most experience playing on the Flames blueline Author of the article: By Daniel Austin Published Sep 22, 2026 Last updated 4 minutes ago 3 minute read Join the conversation Calgary Flames defenceman Kevin Bahl skates during practice at Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. Brent Calver/Postmedia Article content There was never really much doubt that Kevin Bahl was going to be Simon Nemec’s partner. Article content Ever since Nemec was acquired in June by the Calgary Flames in a blockbuster trade with the New Jersey Devils, it seemed obvious that the two would be paired together. Article content Article content They’d played a few games as a partnership back in 2023-24 when they were both with the Devils, back before Bahl was part of a huge deal of his own, coming to Calgary in exchange for Jacob Markstrom. Article content Article content More importantly, though, Bahl’s time in Calgary has mostly been spent with the now-in-Vegas Rasmus Andersson, so Flames management knows he can handle the duties that come with playing with an offensively minded blueliner like Nemec. Article content Noon News Roundup Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “His mindset is defend first, more than anything,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “He thinks that part of the game well. His size helps, of course, and I think he knows with a certain player he’s paired with, in order for them to do what they do best he has to take a more defensive role. Article content “He always wants to make sure he’s in a position to be back. I think last year we saw him become a more physical guy and I thought he jumped into the offence at various times last year. That’s all part of his growth, but I think he’s geared more towards being a defence, check-first guy, which allows us to play offensive players with him.” Article content All of that makes Bahl one of the more important players on the Flames roster. In Nemec and Zayne Parekh, the Flames have two defencemen who like to jump up into the rush and create plays. They can…