MIKAEL BACKLUND NEWS

Finds twine on power play Backlund scored a power-play goal in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Canucks.

Impact Backlund got the Flames on the board at 12:18 of the first period with his third goal in the last five games. The center has earned nine points of his 12 points this season over his last 15 contests. He's added 60 shots on net and a plus-5 rating through 24 appearances overall. The 34-year-old is known for his second-half surges, but playing with a more talented winger in Jonathan Huberdeau over the last couple of weeks appears to have sparked Backlund's offense early this season.

DECEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Produces assist Backlund notched an assist and three shots on goal in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Stars.

Impact Backlund helped out on a Noah Hanifin tally in the first period. In the third, Backlund nearly had his third goal in four games, but it was overturned for a missed hand pass earlier in the play. The center wrapped up November with eight points over 14 games, giving him four goals, seven assists, 59 shots on net and a plus-5 rating through 23 contests overall.

DECEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nets only goal in loss Backlund scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Avalanche.

Impact The Flames' breakthrough came at 12:03 of the second period, as chaos in front of the net allowed Jonathan Huberdeau to set up Backlund for the tally. That's goals in back-to-back outings for Backlund. He's up to four markers, 10 points, 53 shots on net, 15 hits and a plus-6 rating through 21 appearances. While he's listed on the third line, Backlund effectively remains a top-six forward given his usage in all situations.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies in win Backlund scored a goal and added two PIM in Friday's 7-4 win over the Stars.

Impact Backlund snapped an eight-game goal drought with his third-period insurance tally. During that span, the center had a modest three assists with 20 shots on net. He's a notorious slow starter, but Backlund is up to nine points, 51 shots on net, 13 hits, six PIM and a plus-5 rating through 20 contests this season. That's right on track with how he started 2022-23, which saw him end with a career-best 56 points.

NOVEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records 500th point Backlund picked up an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Monday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kraken.

Impact Backlund set up Rasmus Andersson for a wraparound in overtime, and Andersson cashed in on a rebound. That gave Backlund his 500th career point, an achievement he completed in his 926th contest. The center has been limited to three helpers over his last seven contests. He's at eight points, 50 shots on net, 13 hits, nine blocked shots and a plus-3 rating through 18 outings overall. Backlund may benefit from having playmaking winger Jonathan Huberdeau on his line.

NOVEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sends assist in win Backlund recorded an assist and four shots on goal in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.

Impact Backlund has two helpers over his last four contests. He set up Jonathan Huberdeau's third-period tally -- those two were on a line with Blake Coleman in an effort to give the Flames some veteran consistency. Backlund has held his own early this season with seven points, 44 shots on net, 12 hits, seven blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 16 appearances.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Contributes helper Friday Backlund logged an assist and two shots on goal in Friday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs.

Impact Backlund set up Martin Pospisil on the Flames' game-tying goal in the third period. The 34-year-old Backlund has three points over his last three outings, giving him two goals and four assists through 13 contests this season. He's added 38 shots on net, nine hits, seven blocked shots and a plus-2 rating while skating on the third line with playing time in all situations.

NOVEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores pair in win Backlund scored two goals on four shots and went plus-3 in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Kraken.

Impact Backlund converted at 4:00 of the third period after Philipp Grubauer failed to freeze the puck following an A.J. Greer breakaway. Later in the frame, Backlund's banked clearance off the boards found the empty net. The pair of goals ended his three-game point drought. The 34-year-old center is at five points, 30 shots on net, a plus-2 rating, four PIM, seven hits and five blocked shots through 11 outings in his usual middle-six role. Backlund is no stranger to slow starts to seasons, so fantasy managers rostering him in the first half of the year will need to pack patience.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slings assist Backlund logged an assist in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers.

Impact Backlund has a helper in each of the last three games. The 34-year-old center is one of the few Flames making a positive impact during their three-game losing streak. For the season, he has three assists, 21 shots on net, four blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over seven contests in a middle-six role.

OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Provides helper in loss Backlund registered an assist and five shots on goal in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Red Wings.

Impact Backlund has a helper in each of the last two games after coming up empty in the first four contests of the season. He put a shot on net that led to a rebound for Andrew Mangiapane's goal Sunday. In addition to his two assists, Backlund has added 21 shots on net, four blocked shots, three hits, four PIM and an even plus-minus rating. He has consistently played on the third line and second power-play unit.

OCTOBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets on board with assist Backlund picked up an assist in Friday's 3-1 road loss against the Blue Jackets.

Impact Backlund was blanked in the first four games, posting a minus-1 rating and 14 shots on goal. He snapped his scoreless skid with the assist, which came on a shorthanded goal by Elias Lindholm midway through the third period. The 34-year-old Backlund registered a career-high 56 points last season, so he still has plenty left in the tank. He and his team are back at it Sunday against the Red Wings.

OCTOBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

After Mikael Backlund extension, the Flames' core must begin to erase memory of last season The Flames will soon begin to see if their core can truly match up against the best teams in the Western Conference.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Flames center Mikael Backlund signs 2-year extension, named captain

Center Mikael Backlund has signed a two-year, $9-million extension with the Calgary Flames and has been named captain

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • Associated Press

Flames' Mikael Backlund signs extension, named captain Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund enjoyed a banner day on Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Inks two-year extension Backlund signed a two-year, $9 million contract extension with the Flames on Wednesday and was named the captain of the team.

Impact After a summer full of talks of upheaval, the Flames were able to get one of their longest tenured players to commit for two more years after this one. Backlund put up a career-best 56 points in 82 games last season, and he has shown consistency on offense and defense over the last decade. Expect the 34-year-old center to line up on the third line, but he'll also seen time in all situations.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Flames, Mikael Backlund agree to 2-year extension Backlund has played all 15 seasons of his NHL career in Calgary.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Report: Mikael Backlund, Flames finalizing 2-year extension Forward Mikael Backlund and the Calgary Flames are finalizing a two-year contract extension worth approximately $9 million, multiple media o...

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

6 teams that are a trade fit for Flames centre Mikael Backlund After the Flames traded Tyler Toffoli, where could Backlund end up if he's the next player out of Calgary?

JUNE 28, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Adds assist in finale Backlund notched an assist and three shots on goal in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Sharks.

Impact Backlund finished 2022-23 with two goals and five assists over his last eight contests. It was the best season of his career -- the center had 56 points (19 goals, 37 assists) with 260 shots on net, 97 hits and a plus-24 rating while playing in all 82 games. Now 34 years old, it could be tough for him to repeat those numbers next season, but he should remain a solid middle-six forward.

APRIL 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Novak lifts Predators past Flames 3-2 in shootout

Tommy Novak scored the deciding goal in the shootout and the Nashville Predators beat the Calgary Flames 3-2 to preserve their playoff hopes

APRIL 11, 2023 • Associated Press

Mikael Backlund named Flames nominee for Masterton Trophy: 'I'm honoured' The Swedish centre has been named the Flames' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for the 2022-23 season.

APRIL 10, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Tallies in Monday's shootout loss Backlund scored a goal on six shots in Monday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Predators.

Impact Backlund tied the game at 2-2 on a feed from Andrew Mangiapane in the third period. Over his last seven games, Backlund has racked up two goals, four assists and 16 shots. The 34-year-old center is up to 19 tallies, 55 points, 257 shots on net, 97 hits and a plus-23 rating through 81 contests in a career year.

APRIL 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sets new career high in points Backlund logged an assist, five hits and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Jets.

Impact Backlund continued his strong play of late when he set up Andrew Mangiapane's second-period marker. Over his last 14 contests, Backlund has four goals and nine assists. He's always been a solid second-half performer, and it's led him to a career year with 54 points through 79 outings so far. The center has added 250 shots on net, 95 hits, 36 PIM and a plus-22 rating.

APRIL 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matches career high in points Backlund collected a goal in a 4-3 loss to Chicago on Tuesday.

Impact Backlund has 18 goals and 53 points in 78 games this season. He's matched his career high in points, which he set in 2016-17, and Backlund now has four contests left on Calgary's schedule to surpass it. The 34-year-old has been great recently, providing a goal and four points over his last four outings, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him record at least one more point before the campaign ends.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE