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.

Mikael Backlund had a hat trick in Wednesday's scrimmage. That should help Backlund build a little extra confidence going into the shortened season. "Coming from last year where I struggled to score a lot, it's always good to score," said Backlund. "I'm just going to try and carry this with me. Still, it's just a scrimmage, but it always feels good to score." Backlund had four goals and 11 points in 41 games in 2011-12. He should do better than that in the shortened season, but we can't recommend drafting him in standard leagues.

Mikael Backlund has a chance to be a top two center for Calgary this season. The Flames are weak down the middle as Roman Cervenka is out with blood clots and there is so little else on the team that they are moving Alex Tanguay from the wing to center, giving Backlund his chance. "We had a little talk, me and Bob," Backlund said on Monday. "A good meeting. Roman's out, he's a great player and we want him back as soon as possible. For me, that doesn't change anything, if he's in or out. I still have to prove myself, show them I'm good enough for this level, show them I'm a good top-six player. If I want to be a top-six player, it doesn't matter if guys are hurt or not." This could be Backlund's last chance for a top two role in Calgary so this is an important season for the 23-year-old. Take a chance and draft him very late in the deepest of leagues only.

Mikael Backlund could be a sleeper to center Calgary's top line when the regular season begins. He lost his shot at that job last year when he suffered a broken finger in a pre-season practice and he ended up posting just 11 points in 41 games. Backlund should arrive at camp with plenty of confidence this time around after playing very well with Vasteras in Sweden's second division. He found a great of chemistry with St. Louis forward Patrik Berglund, which helped him register 12 goals and 30 points in 23 games. He would also fit more comfortably into the role than trying to convert a winger and would be the next best option if Roman Cervenka isn't healthy enough.

Mikael Backlund registered his 10th Hockeyallsvenskan marker in a 4-2 win for Vasteras against Orebro on Tuesday. Backlund has been great in the Sweden's second division this year and he has dominated the league alongside St. Louis' Patrik Berglund. The Calgary Flames forward is fourth in league scoring with 25 points in 16 games, while Berglund has 25 points as well in 21 contests but occupies the third overall spot because of his 16 goals.

Mikael Backlund has been on a scoring tear since joining Vasteras in Sweden's second-highest level of competition. He had a goal and assisted on another by St. Louis' Patrik Berglund to help lead his team to a 2-0 win over Mora. In just nine games, Backlund has amassed 15 points.