Mikael Backlund is now playing between Michael Cammalleri and David Jones as a top six forward. Backlund was struggling early on this season and found that he improved his game when he stopped overthinking everything. "Pretty much right after that, it started clicking," Backlund said. Backlund has five goals and 13 points in 34 games but now has two goals in his last three games. Playing with Cammalleri will help his fantasy value in deep leagues.

Mikael Backlund scored a goal in Calgary's 3-2 overtime loss on Thursday. Backlund has two goals in his last three contests. He's somewhat hot right now, but his fantasy value is typically limited at best.

Mikael Backlund has two goals and five points in his last eight games. That's a step up for Backlund, who has 12 points in 32 contests overall in 2013-14. He doesn't have any fantasy value in standard leagues, but that might change in a couple seasons.

Mikael Backlund might find his way off of the fourth line with Sean Monahan (foot) sidelined. "I feel bad for Monny, but I'm ready to do it," Backlund said. "I'm going to do my best and see what happens." This situation is worth keeping an eye on. Backlund has two goals and seven points in 23 games this season.

Mikael Backlund bounced back nicely for the Calgary Flames Friday night. A healthy scratch last week against the Toronto Maple Leafs and a member most of the season of the Flames' fourth line, Backlund was flanked Friday by top-line players Michael Cammalleri and Jiri Hudler and made the most of his promotion, earning assists on both of Cammalleri's goals in a 4-2 loss to the Avalanche at Colorado. The Calgary Sun says Backlund looked like his old self.

Mikael Backlund is trying to stay positive after being a healthy scratch on Wednesday. "It wasn't a bad start, I (just needed) a little better flow out there offensively," Backlund said. "I just never seemed to get it going. That's all my own fault ... but I'm still patient and I believe in myself." It looks like he'll return on Friday, but as a fourth liner.

Mikael Backlund was a healthy scratch on Wednesday for the first time this season as coach Bob Hartley is not happy with his play. Backlund had two goals and four points in 11 games heading into action Wednesday but was placed on the fourth line Saturday and dropped from the lineup against Toronto as Hartley went with Tim Jackman to give the Flames a tougher lineup. "Toronto is a big, physical, tough team," Hartley said. "We needed to add some muscle and I sat with Backs. I'm a big fan of this young man . . . I told him I need more from him. I'm not pleased with his game and so is he. He's man enough he said he needs to do more. It was not a message or anything, but I told him if he was playing better and contributing offensively in a better way." Expect to see Backlund back in the lineup against the Red Wings but we cannot recommend him at this time.

Mikael Backlund missed practice on Saturday due to some minor bruises. The Flames are blocking more shots this season and one of the drawbacks will be actually getting hit by the shot and picking up the occasional bruise when the puck does not hit the equipment. Backlund is poised for a breakout season as he has a goal and two helpers in five games. He should be ready to go when the Flames play in Anaheim Wednesday.

Mikael Backlund signed a two-year contract worth $3 million with the Flames. The 24-year-old netted eight goals and chipped in with eight more assists this past season. "Mikael really stepped-up last season and took advantage of the change in direction under a new coaching staff," said Flames general manager Jay Feaster. "He came into camp in very good shape and also had regained his confidence. He parlayed that into a strong season, and if it wasn't for his injury we believe he would have progressed even further in his development. We need Mikael to be one of our go-to players this year, and we are excited about watching him continue to evolve and take that step to the next level as a player."

The Flames are expected to officially extend qualifying offers to center Mikael Backlund and defensemen T.J. Brodie, Chris Butler and Mark Cundari on Tuesday. The team needs to file paperwork before the deadline Tuesday in order to ensure all four players remain restricted free agents. Of course, anyone who remembers the Blackhawks fiasco from a few years ago knows that RFA paperwork can always go sideways. Backlund and Brodie are particularly important pieces for Calgary moving forward and should remain under Flames control.