Bahl Hoping to Learn from Hamilton & Co. I FEATURE

BUFFALO, NY - Kevin Bahl got his first taste of the National Hockey League during the 2020-21 season, playing in seven games for the New Jersey Devils.
But as the offseason progressed, the Devils added several new defensive faces to the mix with Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Graves and Christian Jaros. Suddenly, the blue line has become more crowded and more competitive for jobs.
But Bahl, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound blueliner, is looking forward to how those similarly built defensemen (Hamilton, 6-6, 229; Graves, 6-5, 220) can help him improve his own game.
"I'm excited to learn from those guys," Bahl said. "Those are two huge defensemen. I want to learn more about how they play.
"To play with that height and size is difficult, so learning some tricks will be important."

Bahl, a New Westminster, BC native, is currently in Buffalo attending his third career Prospects Challenge, first with the Devils.
"Every time you come back with a bit more experience," he said. "I wouldn't say it's easier, but you know what to expect."
And being one of the more veteran players on the roster, being 21 years old and having played in the NHL and American Hockey League, he's been given a leadership role in camp, wearing an 'A' for alternate captain on his chest.
"It's about helping guys," he said. "Guys like (2021 draft pick) Chase Stillman don't know what to expect. 'With your skill and toolbox you'll be fine.' I just talked to him about that."
Though he made a brief late-season appearance for New Jersey, Bahl played the majority of the year with Binghamton, his first year of pro hockey. And the things he learned in 27 AHL games were vastly different from his junior hockey days with Ottawa of the Ontario Hockey League.
"It was really big for development to do that, especially in a COVID year," he said. "The heightened intensity, heightened physicality. If you make a mistake in the AHL, there's a pretty good chance it's in the back of your net and you're going to the bench with your head down."
Over the summer, Bahl tried to improve his overall game, including such things as his breakouts, being more poised with the puck and getting his shots through.
"The biggest thing is me coming back with more confidence and more poise," he said. "Being able to hold onto pucks and making good plays."