Mikael Backlund's deal with Vasteras will last two months. "It's going to be fun to play," Backlund said. "I was trying to stay patient because you want things to happen here first, but it doesn't look good. It's just not going to help me to stay here. I need to play - I haven't played since Feb. 11. That's a long time without games. After the season, mentally it's good to get away from hockey. But it's been way too long now." Backlund will be joining St. Louis forward Patrik Berglund.