New Jersey Devils Bring Back Young Defenseman

Bahl Back in New Jersey

This is a great contract for Kevin Bahl and the team. Bahl finally broke through in New Jersey this past season playing in 42 games. He had a brief three-game stint in the AHL, but quickly found himself in the everyday lineup down the stretch for the Devils. Prior to the 2022-23 season, Bahl had played small parts in the previous two seasons, playing a combined 24 games.

He was drafted 55th overall in 2018 by the Arizona Coyotes. The 23-year-old defenseman was a big part of the trade that sent Taylor Hall from New Jersey to Arizona. Bahl has only played a total of 66 games up to this point, but figures to be an important piece of the Devils defensive core moving forward.

Bahl an Everyday Contributor Going Forward

The Kevin Bahl contract makes sense going forward. Over the previous two seasons Bahl was getting a taste of NHL action but couldn’t stick. Early on this year that trend looked to continue, when Brendan Smith saw the majority of bottom pair ice time. However, after injuries to some players on the backend and subpar play by Smith, Bahl was given runway to stick in the starting lineup. He was without his warts, but Bahl’s size and physicality played for a Devils team that lacked it. Towards the last third of the season, Bahl began to cement himself as a solid stay-at-home defenseman and penalty killer. At points he even got time with Dougie Hamilton on the top pair. In the postseason, Bahl appeared in 11 of 12 games and recorded one assist.

Bahl came over in the Taylor Hall trade that also netted them a first round pick. A pick that was then used to select Dawson Mercer 18th in the 2020 NHL Draft. His development has continued on a steady incline and will likely serve as an everyday player next season. Bahl’s development should see him make the team on opening night in 2023-24.