Mikael Backlund has a right foot fracture and won't play for Sweden in the world championships. Backlund had eight goals and 16 points in 32 games this season, although it's now fair to wonder how long he's been playing with this injury considering he played through the final game of the year. Backlund is scheduled for restricted free agency this summer and this injury certainly won't help his case. Regardless, the former first-round pick is unlikely to have any fantasy value in most formats.

Mikael Backlund found the back of the net on Saturday. Backlund has seven goals and 14 points in 26 games. The Flames don't have much left to play for as a team, but every point Backlund gets will help him in his contract negotiations. He's scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer.

Mikael Backlund is scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer. "Obviously, the better I play, the better contract I'll get - that's how it works," says Backlund. "So I'm trying to do my best and show them that I want to be a part of this team, I want to be part of the future of this organization. Hopefully, I'd like to stay here." Backlund is 24 and has never been much of an option in standard fantasy leagues. He inked a one-year, $725,000 contract for the 2012-13 campaign.

Look for Mikael Backlund to center Roman Cervenka and Sven Baertschi on Monday. The Flames will take on the Colorado Avalanche and with Baertschi being recalled on Sunday due to the injury suffered by Brian McGrattan, Calgary coach Bob Hartley will play his three talented European trained players together, hoping the line has some magic together. Backlund could be worth a pickup if the line clicks, in deeper leagues.

Mikael Backlund will take a seat as a healthy scratch Friday. He will relegated to the press box against Columbus, along with defenseman Chris Butler. They will be replaced by Roman Cervenka and Derek Smith in the Flames' lineup.

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.