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Jake Bean was brought in as a depth defender and filled that role well
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Photo credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
May 24, 2025, 10:00 EDTUpdated: May 23, 2025, 23:43 EDT
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Selected 13th overall in 2016, Jake Bean hasn’t had the typical career of a player drafted that high.
The left-shot defenceman’s best season coming into the 2024-25 season was back in 2021-22 with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he scored seven goals and 25 points in 67 games. On Jul. 1, 2024, the Flames signed the 26-year-old to a two-year contract worth $3.5 million overall, or $1.75 million a season.
Let’s take a look at Bean’s expectations coming into the 2024-25 season, as well as how he did when given the opportunity to play.

Bean’s 2024-25 expectations

Bean was signed to be a depth defenceman, filling in the third pair and sitting occasionally in the press box. Sure, the Flames likely hoped that Bean could find that form he had in 2021-22, but that was not his expectations.
It seemed like there could’ve been an opportunity heading into the season, but thanks to a hot Flames start, they became a playoff contender until the very end of the season, meaning Bean sat in the press box for a fair share of games.
With that said, how did he do when on the ice?

How Bean did in 2024-25

In total, Bean played 64 games, scoring two goals and seven points, down from his four goals and 13 points with the Blue Jackets in 2023-24.
It was a very “stop and start” type season for the left-shot defenceman, missing three games here, five games there. By the 25th game of the season, Bean had become a regular in the Flames’ lineup, missing just five games to end the season. 
His most common defence partner was Brayden Pachal on the bottom pairing. During five-on-five action, Bean played 592:52 minutes with Pachal and only 255:18 minutes away from him, meaning he had a consistent partner on the bottom pairing through the season.
Bean’s advanced stats weren’t bad either. When Bean was on the ice during five-on-five play, the Flames scored 29 goals to 28 goals against for a 50.88% goal share. His expected goal share was even better, finishing with a 52.16% xG%. With Bean on the ice, the Flames had more shots and more high-danger opportunities than their opponents.

Next season’s expectations

The 2025-26 season will be Bean’s last season on his contract. His expectations depend on whether the Flames try to make the post-season or attempt to land a high-overall pick. If it’s the former, Bean will either be used as he was in 2024-25 or as a seventh defenceman if they add another defenceman in free agency. Now, if it’s the latter, expect Bean to receive more playing time than he did last season.
As for his report card grade, he gets a “B” for Bean. While he wasn’t one of the Flames’ best defencemen, Bean was brought in to play on the bottom pair and sit in the press box, and when he was on the ice, he contributed on occasion and had solid advanced stats.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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