Calgary's captain will return for an 18th season with the Flames after Mikael Backlund signed a two-year extension worth $3.25M AAV ($6.5 million total) on Wednesday. The 36-year-old remained a steady nightly presence in Calgary's lineup last season, with 15 goals, 32 points and 175 SOG in 76 games played while averaging 18:44 TOI/GP.
Backlund has missed the last six games for the Flames, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 35-year-old Backlund is averaging 18:48 time-on-ice and has 24 points (11G / 13A) in 64 games this season. Yegor Sharangovich will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Backlund's return.
Backlund has not played the previous five games due to an upper-body injury and will remain out of the lineup on Tuesday despite practicing with the team. The 35-year-old Backlund is averaging 18:48 time-on-ice and has 24 points (11G / 13A) in 64 games this season.
Backlund exited the Flames' 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks in the first period and will be out week-to-week due to an upper-body injury. The 35-year-old Backlund is averaging 18:48 time-on-ice and has 24 points (11G / 13A) in 64 games this season. In a corresponding move, the Flames recalled Dryden Hunt from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL).
Backlund exited the Flames' 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks in the first period and remains under evaluation. The 35-year-old Backlund is averaging 18:48 time-on-ice and has 24 points (11G / 13A) in 64 games this season. It's unclear what Backlund's status will be for Calgary's next game on Friday against the Calgary Flames.
Backlund left the game in the first period of Wednesday's game and was unable to return. We should get an update on his status ahead of Calgary's game against the Avalanche on Friday.
Backlund had 19 goals, 37 assists, 36 PIMs, 260 SOG, and a +24 plus/minus in 82 games in 2022-23 with Calgary and has signed a two-year contract extension worth $9.0 million ($4.5 million AAV). Along with the new contract, Backlund has been announced as the Flames' 21st Captain in team history. The 34-year-old centre is entering his 16th NHL season as a Flame and has 185 goals, 492 points and a +66 plus/minus in 908 career NHL games played.
Backlund is the latest Flames' player to be added to the COVID-19 protocol list, leaving them with just four active players.
Backlund missed Monday's game in Vancouver with a lower-body injury but was on the ice for Wednesday's morning skate and will be a game-time decision. Backlund skated with Milan Lucic and Dillon Dube this morning, so he is a less appealing DFS option without Andrew Mangiapane on his wing.
Backlund suffered a lower-body injury early in Saturday's loss to the Canucks and is questionable to play on Monday. Head coach Geoff Ward called him "day-to-day" on Sunday, so monitor his status during the morning skate.
Backlund has been dealing with a lower-body injury since the late stages of the preseason but is ready to go in Colorado. Backlund, who will centre the second line with familiar linemates (Tkachuk and Frolik) had 21 goals and 26 assists (47 points) last season.
Backlund was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice but remains a question mark heading into the first game of the year. Monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate and expect Sam Bennett to replace him on the second line if he doesn’t play.
Backlund was rested on Monday but is expected to replace Sean Monahan in the lineup on Wednesday.
