Mikael Backlund C CGY Sun 4/6/25 2:45 AM
Mikael Backlund
C CGY
Backlund logged an assist in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights.
EDGE Analysis
Backlund snapped a six-game point drought, though he also missed six contests due to an upper-body injury in that stretch. He set up Matthew Coronato's third-period tally, which tied the game at 2-2. Backlund has had a down year with 25 points, 158 shots on net, 43 blocked shots, 37 hits and a minus-1 rating over 70 appearances. He also missed action for the first time since 2020-21, though the injury absence doesn't explain all of the drop in his offense from his 39-point total a year ago.
Mikael Backlund C CGY Thu 3/27/25 1:21 PM
Mikael Backlund
C CGY
Backlund (upper body) will be in the lineup against Dallas on Thursday, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.
EDGE Analysis
Backlund will return to a middle-six role and could see power-play time after missing the last six games. He has contributed 11 goals, 24 points, 146 shots on net, 39 blocked shots and 34 hits through 64 appearances this season. Backlund's return will probably result in Yegor Sharangovich being a healthy scratch.
Mikael Backlund C CGY Tue 3/25/25 1:10 PM
Mikael Backlund
C CGY
Backlund (upper body) isn't expected to play Tuesday versus Seattle, per Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan.
EDGE Analysis
Backlund has 11 goals and 24 points in 64 appearances in 2024-25. He hasn't been in the lineup since March 12. When Backlund does return, he'll likely serve in a top-six capacity.
Mikael Backlund C CGY Fri 3/14/25 12:24 PM
Mikael Backlund
C CGY
Backlund (upper body) was labeled week-to-week by the Flames on Friday.
EDGE Analysis
Backlund has played in all 64 games this season, generating 11 goals and 13 helpers. At this point, Backlund looks poised to record his lowest point total since the 2014-15 campaign when he generated just 27 points in 52 appearances. Still, if he can get back into the lineup sooner rather than later, Backlund could be capable of challenging for the 30-point threshold.
Mikael Backlund C CGY Wed 3/12/25 10:11 PM
Mikael Backlund
C CGY
Backlund (upper body) won't return to Wednesday's game versus the Canucks.
EDGE Analysis
Backlund was injured in the first period of the contest. The 35-year-old center has not missed a game since the 2020-21 campaign, but his ironman streak could be in danger if he's not ready to suit up again in time for Friday's contest versus the Avalanche. Connor Zary or Yegor Sharangovich could move to center if Backlund misses time, while Adam Klapka is the extra healthy forward on the roster.
Mikael Backlund C CGY Fri 3/7/25 1:19 AM
Mikael Backlund
C CGY
Backlund scored a goal on three shots and blocked two shots in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Stars.
EDGE Analysis
Backlund had gone 15 games without a goal, and he was limited to two assists with a minus-10 rating in that span. Despite his struggles on offense, he remains in a top-six role -- it's not like the Flames have better centers who can match Backlund's two-way skills. The 35-year-old has 11 goals, 23 points, 143 shots on net, 39 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating over 62 appearances this season. In previous years, he's been a strong second-half player, but it doesn't look like he'll be able to tap into that magic in 2024-25.
Mikael Backlund C CGY Mon 2/3/25 1:46 AM
Mikael Backlund
C CGY
Backlund notched a power-play assist in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Kraken.
EDGE Analysis
Backlund ended a four-game slump when he set up a Yegor Sharangovich tally in the first period. The 35-year-old Backlund saw 17:15 of ice time Sunday, less than both Nazem Kadri and Morgan Frost among Calgary's centers. Backlund has maintained a heavy workload as a high-end defensive center this season, averaging 19:14 per game while racking up 22 points (six on the power play), 125 shots on net and a plus-5 rating across 52 appearances.
Mikael Backlund C CGY Fri 1/24/25 3:40 PM
Mikael Backlund
C CGY
Backlund scored a shorthanded empty-net goal on two shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Sabres.
EDGE Analysis
Backlund has three goals over nine outings in January. The 35-year-old center hasn't added a ton of offense in a second-line role, but he's been steady in his own zone as a shutdown forward. He's collected 10 goals, 20 points, 121 shots on net, 28 hits and a plus-8 rating through 46 appearances in 2024-25.
Mikael Backlund C CGY Tue 1/14/25 1:51 PM
Mikael Backlund
C CGY
Backlund scored a goal on two shots in Monday's 5-2 win over the Blackhawks.
EDGE Analysis
Backlund ultimately got the credit on the Flames' game-winner, as he was judged to get the last touch during a net-front scramble. The center has two goals over five outings in January, and he's produced seven points over his last 12 contests. That's a pretty standard level of production for Backlund, who is at 19 points, 112 shots and a plus-7 rating through 42 appearances this season.
Mikael Backlund C CGY Sun 12/29/24 2:12 AM
Mikael Backlund
C CGY
Backlund scored a power-play goal on three shots in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Sharks.
EDGE Analysis
Backlund restored the Flames' lead at 6:50 of the second period, and his goal was the game-winner. The 35-year-old center is warming up with three goals, two assists and 16 shots on net over his last five outings. For the season, he has seven goals, 17 points (four on the power play), 98 shots, 20 hits, 20 blocked shots, 20 PIM and a plus-6 rating through 35 appearances. Backlund can be a decent depth center in fantasy when his offense is going, but he may be best utilized as a streaming option.