Mikael Backlund returned to action on Monday March 18.

Mikael Backlund (cracked bone in foot) could return to the Calgary lineup as early as Monday. The Flames are in Dallas Monday to play the Stars and you may see Backlund in between Blake Comeau and Jiri Hudler after x-rays revealed that his foot injury suffered when he took a Kevin Klein shot off his foot Friday. "You feel bad for the guy," Comeau said about Backlund who has already missed 14 games this season with a knee injury. "He's had some tough luck with injuries last year and this year. He just adds that depth down the middle. We have some guys playing center who aren't natural centermen. So to have a guy like Backs who is a responsible player and plays hard every night - it's a big loss when he's not in the lineup." Backlund has seven points in 12 games thus far.

Mikael Backlund scored his fourth goal of the season in the Calgary Flames 3-1 loss to the LA Kings. This was his second game since coming back from a knee injury. He has only played nine games thus far due to a knee injury, but he has been solid, scoring four times in 10 games. The skill is there but it's consistency the young Swede needs to take the next step in being a top six forward. The Flames will have to rebuild sooner rather than later, and the Flames brass hope he becomes a big part of that future. He's definitely worth a look in deep leagues.

Mikael Backlund (knee) has been activated off injured reserve by Calgary. He hasn't played since Feb. 7 because of a knee injury. In eight games this season, Backlund has produced three goals and one assist.

Mikael Backlund (knee) missed Wednesday's contest. Backlund has now been out for a month, but he's getting close to returning. Consider him day-to-day at this point.

Mikael Backlund (knee) skated in practice on Monday. Backlund will wear a knee brace upon his return and is getting close to returning as he was wearing a yellow non-contact jersey in practice Monday. "Yeah, it feels good," Backlund said. "I can do everything. The next step is the contact, being able to battle and stuff and see how that feels. We'll see when that is, but it felt good (Monday). I've pushed hard two days now. Every day, waking up, it's been a better day. I'm happy with that and happy with the progress . . . faster than projected." Backlund has three goals and four points in eight games this season as it was looking like he was beginning to emerge as a good center before his injury but we would wait a couple of games to see how he plays before activating him.

Mikael Backlund, who was just beginning to emerge as a bona fide top-six forward for Calgary, suffered a sprained knee in Thursday's 4-3 overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets and will be out at least a month. The 23-year-old center was placed on injured reserve Friday. For Backlund, who had scored three times in his first eight games, it's his third significant injury since the beginning of last season.The Flames' first-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft missed nearly six weeks after breaking a finger in training camp in 2011-12. Then the skilled Swede suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in mid-February. "Thnx for all the great support #CofRed. I hope to be back ASAP and help the team making the playoffs!" Backlund wrote Friday evening on his Twitter account. According to the Flames, Backlund is officially out four-to-six weeks due to a Grade 2 sprain of his MCL. That's a mouthful of medical mumbo-jumbo. It's also a big chunk of action in a condensed schedule. If Backlund is, indeed, sidelined for the full six weeks, he'll miss 20 games. "Obviously, it's disappointing," said Flames GM Jay Feaster. "It's disappointing for him. He's frustrated."

Calgary Flames place C Mikael Backlund (undisclosed) on injured reserve. Backlund left Thursday's game with the injury, but the team has yet to provide any details on the nature of the ailment or a recovery timeline. The move is retroactive to Feb. 7. Backlund has four points in eight games this season.

Mikael Backlund was pulled from Thursday's game due to an undisclosed injury. Backlund netted his third goal of the season in the second period before he was pulled. He has four points in eight games in 2013.

Mikael Backlund netted his first goal of the season on Wednesday. Backlund struggles last season with just four goals and 11 points in 41 games. He should take a step forward this season, but not to the extent that we can recommend owning him in standard leagues.