In advance of the Calgary Flames’ home game on Tuesday, they have a signing to announce. The club announced that they’ve re-signed defenceman Brayden Pachal to a two-year extension with a $1,187,500 average annual value.

The 25-year-old Pachal was originally claimed off the waiver wire from the Vegas Golden Knights back on Feb. 4. Since being claimed, he’s played every single game for the Flames – 64 so far – and posted two goals and eight points in that span.

A product of Estevan, Saskatchewan, Pachal is a right shot defender whose game lends itself nicely to a depth role. Simply put: he’s a bear to play against. He’s listed at 6’2″ and 203 pounds, and he uses that size really well defensively – he boxes players out and throws punishing hits with relish. He’s a bit of a throwback in that regard, but he’s also arguably the best player currently in the organization at combining physicality with smart positional defence.

In a way, this contract extension is a big accomplishment for Pachal. Originally eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft, he was never selected, and so he had to grind to get a pro opportunity. He spent four seasons in the Western Hockey League (with Victoria and Prince Albert), and captained the Raiders to a WHL Championship in 2019. He signed an entry-level deal with the Golden Knights and worked his way from the ECHL and AHL up towards the NHL.

Pachal wasn’t quite able to grab an everyday role with the Golden Knights and he hit the waiver wire in February and was snapped up by the Flames – they were familiar with him, having had him at development camp in 2018. To-date, Pachal has played just 93 NHL games – 64 with the Flames, 29 with the Golden Knights – and you can make a case that he’s still just scratching the surface of what he can become at this level.

Even if he doesn’t blossom much more, he’s already established himself as a reliable, consistent, and physical presence on their blueline. And with this new deal, he’ll be with the Flames until (at least) 2026-27.