Since arriving in Calgary last winter via the waiver wire, defenceman Brayden Pachal has quietly carved out a really useful niche for himself as a physical, shutdown blueliner. The next time he dresses, which could be as early as Friday against Nashville, Pachal will qualify as a restricted free agent when his current contract expires on July 1 as he suits up for his 80th NHL game.

Let’s delve into why 80 games is important for Pachal and his status with the Flames.

As you may know, within the collective bargaining agreement there are definitions of various different types of free agents, with the two most common types being Group 3 unrestricted free agents – players over 27 or that have seven years in the NHL system – or group 2s, your run-of-the-mill RFAs that require qualifying offers.

But heading into this season, Pachal was a candidate to become a Group 6 UFA as he met three of the four requirements:

Pachal’s first year with Vegas under an NHL contract was 2019-20, and he’s currently in the second year of a two year deal he signed in 2023 with the Golden Knights with a $775,000 cap hit.

The Flames claimed Pachal off waivers on Feb. 4. Since then, he’s really done an effective job carving out a niche for himself within the Flames system. Case in point: he’s dressed for every single game the Flames have played since his arrival – all 50 – a feat that only five other Flames have pulled off. (The others are Mikael Backlund, Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson.)

Has Pachal become a core member of the Flames? Not quite. Will he be given the type of hefty contract that Weegar or Andersson likely command? Hardly. But after not really having a clear role in Vegas, he’s created one for himself in Calgary. And he seems like a slam-dunk choice to receive a qualifying offer from the Flames (and almost definitely a new contract with a decent raise over his current league-minimum deal).

The Flames, and likely Pachal, are back in action on Friday when they host Nashville.