Flames’ Kevin Bahl set to return Tuesday following nine-game absence

The Calgary Flames have announced that defenseman Kevin Bahl will make his return to the lineup Tuesday versus the Washington Capitals after missing the past nine games due to illness and an upper-body injury.

“We were expecting him to play last game but things happen and people have to step up,” Flames head coach Ryan Huska told team reporter Torie Peterson. “I thought some guys did that for us but it will be nice to have him back and get him in his usual spot tonight.”

Sidelined since late January, Bahl has made 47 appearances with the Flames this season in which he has scored twice and added 12 assists for 14 points coupled with 29 penalty minutes and a plus-one rating. On the season, Bahl ranks third among Calgary defensemen in averaging more than 21 minutes of ice time per night.

Skating in his first season with Calgary, the Flames originally acquired Bahl and a conditional first-round selection in the upcoming NHL Draft as part of the deal that sent former goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils. A 2018 second-round selection by the former Arizona Coyotes, Bahl was shipped to New Jersey the following year in a blockbuster deal for forward Taylor Hall. In all, through 195 career contests with the Devils and Flames, Bahl has totaled six goals and 33 assists for 39 points.

Per PuckPedia, Bahl is in the final year of a two-year pact that carries a $1.05-million annual average value and can become a restricted free agent this coming offseason.

Entering Tuesday’s contest against the Capitals, the Flames sit 27-21-6 on the season and one point back of the Pacific Division rival Vancouver Canucks for the final wildcard seed in the Western Conference. The Flames have qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs once in the past four seasons.