Calgary Flames defenceman Kevin Bahl out for the rest of the season with ruptured Achilles
Bahl, the team's top defender, ruptured his Achilles warming up before Friday's game against Anaheim and will undergo season-ending surgery, with no return until the 2027-28 season.
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Calgary Flames defenceman Kevin Bahl ruptured his Achilles tendon warming up before Friday's game against the Anaheim Ducks and will have surgery. He is out until the start of the 2027-28 season, when the club opens its new building.
Bahl is the Flames' top defender, averaging 21:56 a game. He is also the team's top penalty killer and spends his nights partnered with Simon Nemec against opponents' best lines.
Head coach Ryan Huska called it "a freak thing." "Warming up, that's kind of a freak thing," he said. "You don't hear of that really happening ever." Teammate Zach Whitecloud said the team would look after him. "Make sure as a group, we're taking care of him," Whitecloud said. "He's going to be here for a long, long time."
No single player is expected to replace Bahl's workload. Joel Hanley, who was told 15 minutes before pre-game warmups that he would play Friday, will get more ice time and partner with Nemec. Brayden Pachal has been recalled from the AHL Calgary Wranglers to fill the roster spot.
The facts
What injury did Kevin Bahl suffer?
Calgary Flames defenceman Kevin Bahl ruptured his Achilles tendon while warming up before the team's game against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, November 6, 2026. He will undergo surgery.
When will Kevin Bahl return to the Calgary Flames?
Kevin Bahl is out until the start of the 2027-28 season, when the Calgary Flames open their new building. He will miss the rest of the 2026-27 season.
How much ice time did Kevin Bahl average per game?
Kevin Bahl averaged 21:56 per game as the
