2026/27 Calgary Flames Player Preview: Kevin Bahl

In his first season with the Flames, Kevin Bahl played a limited role on the blue line, but after the team dealt Mackenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson, he became the clear cut No. 1 defenseman, and his play showed it down the stretch.

While he was injured last in the season, Bahl appeared in 76 games, tallying a career high 4 goals and 18 points on the year, and while his game has never been that of a scorer, he showed the ability to be someone that can contribute on the scoresheet with the right talent around him.

18 points isn't a lot to talk about, but over 76 games, Bahl was one of just four players (with 30 or more games played) that ended the season with a positive differential at +2, and with the Flames adding offensive talent around him on the blue line, the hope is that the 26-year-old can take his game to new heights again in 2026/27.

What Will Kevin Bahl's Role be in 2026/27?

Last season, Bahl worked his way up through the lineup, as he began on the second pairing alongside Rasmus Andersson, but ended the year on the top pairing, and with the arrivals of Zayne Parekh and Simon Nemec, the offensive talent around him has improved immensely.

However, the overall defensive play on the blue line is going to take a step back with the Flames focus on the youth, rather than the experience they had to begin 2025/26, and as such, Bahl will be playing LHD on the top line, taking the majority of the defensive responsibilities on his own shoulders.

On top of that, he'll play a key role on the Flames top penalty kill unit, so while the offensive numbers should go up with Nemec and Parekh playing huge roles around Bahl, as of right now, he's likely going to play the same, responsible defensive role that he's played for years, just with more expectations on him this time around.

Final Predictions for Bahl in 2026/27 (based on the assumption of 82 games of health): 7 goals, 15 assists, 22 points.