Flames’ Kevin Bahl to Miss Remainder of Season With Ruptured Achilles

The Calgary Flames announced Sunday that defenceman Kevin Bahl has been placed on long-term injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The news is a significant blow for a Flames team that has relied heavily on Bahl’s steady presence on the back end this season.

Head coach Ryan Huska addressed the injury following Sunday’s morning skate, expressing his disappointment over the loss of one of Calgary’s most important players.

“It’s just a terrible break for a guy that I would consider our best player at this point in the season,” said Huska at morning skate. “Unfortunately, sometimes things happen and because of that, we’re losing a really good player for the rest of the year.”

Bahl was unable to participate in warmups ahead of Friday’s matchup against the Anaheim Ducks and was replaced in the lineup by Joel Hanley.

The 26-year-old defenceman will now begin the lengthy recovery process, leaving the Flames without a key piece of their blue line for the remainder of the campaign.