Of course, to get something in this league, you have to give something up. Fitzgerald sent 23-year-old Kevin Bahl to the Flames in addition to a 2025 first-round draft pick.
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound blueliner appeared in all 82 games last season and earned a career-high 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) while leading all defensemen with 151 hits.
Flames general manager Craig Conroy stated Bahl has been on Calgary's radar.
"For quite some time, we had identified Kevin Bahl as a priority player," Conroy said in the press release . "He is a strong defender with size who plays an assertive game with tremendous presence. While his 6'6 ", 230-lb. frame is an imposing asset, he uses his body intelligently, has good mobility, and makes smart puck decisions. Kevin fits our identity, and we are excited to acquire him now as he can continue to grow with our group."
Bahl will join a defensive core that currently includes Rasmus Andersson, MacKenzie Weegar, and Oliver Kylington. He joins several former Devils in Calgary, including Yegor Sharangovich, Blake Coleman , Kevin Rooney, and A.J. Greer.
In an interview with Flames TV Host Brendan Parker, Conroy elaborated on what Bahl can bring to Calgary's blue line.
"I think you see with some of the guys that have (been moved) this year, especially a guy like Nikita Zadorov, I look at Kevin as a younger version of a Zadorov-type player," Conroy said . "His game has continually gotten better each year as we watched him progress through the NHL and the American Hockey League (AHL).
"At his age, to kind of grow with our group, he was a really good fit and a need. We would like to get bigger on the backend, a little younger, and he was a guy that we targeted and were able to get," Conroy continued.
In a phone interview with Flames reporter Chris Wahl, Bahl shared his excitement for this new chapter in his NHL career.
"I’m just excited because there’s a big opportunity ahead for me,” he said to Wahl . "I’m excited to prove myself.”
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