While Bahl is only 26, he now has the most experience playing on the Flames blueline

There was never really much doubt that Kevin Bahl was going to be Simon Nemec’s defence partner.

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.

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.

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.

“His mindset is defend first, more than anything,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska of the 6-foot-6, 230-lb. Bahl. “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.

“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.”

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 only do that if they have someone beside them who can provide cover, and while it may not be the most headline-grabbing role, Bahl has shown to be adept at that job.

He also knows all about Nemec’s game, more than probably anyone else in Calgary.

“I think he’s going to be a really solid puck-mover,” Bahl said when he was asked about his defence partner. “(He’s got a) high-end hockey sense, obviously jumping up in the rush and he’s got playmaking ability. Those are the kinds of things you’re definitely going to be watching for.

“I think he’s going to be a really well-rounded player and I think throughout the season he’s going to get great opportunities and progress in the role.”

Bahl and Nemec will probably spend a lot of nights going up against opposing teams’ top lines this season, while Nemec takes on power-play responsibilities and Bahl acts as the Flames’ top blueline option on the penalty kill.

And while Bahl is only 26 years old and still considered on the young side for an NHL defenceman, he’s also now the Flames blueliner who has been around the team for the longest. No other d-man on the roster has played more than the 233 games Bahl has skated in for the Flames.

He admitted on Tuesday before the Flames took on the Vancouver Canucks in pre-season action that he was anticipating taking on more leadership responsibilities in the locker room and on the ice, while Huska explained that Bahl is one of the players he believes could show further evolution in his game this coming season.

“For sure, he wants to, too,” Huska explained. “We talked about Connor Zary earlier, and Kevin is very much the same way in regards to the nutrition side of things and learning how to be a pro. He’s changed a lot in the last year and a bit.”

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