Mikael Backlund is on the Flames' first line with Michael Cammalleri and Jarome Iginla. Backlund has just nine points and a minus-10 rating in 32 games this season, but he has four assists in his last five contests. "The last three or four games, he's really played well," Flames coach Brent Sutter said. "I think he's taken it to heart about what we've been talking about and going through with him - how important he is to this team." Unless you're in a keeper league, we'd recommend taking a wait-and-see approach to Backlund. His new assignment makes him interesting, but we aren't convinced yet that he'll get enough posts in the second half of the season to make him worth owning in standard leagues.

Mikael Backlund recorded his first point of 2011-12 on Sunday. Backlund got an assist on Lee Stempniak's goal at 6:54 of the first period. The bad news is that he wasn't playing on the top line and was limited to just 12:05 minutes.

Although he has not registered a point in the four games he has played since returning to action from a broken finger, Mikael Backlund should still be considered a fantasy asset. Be patient with the young Swede as he will get ample opportunity to center the Flames' top line alongside Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay. Backlund, who has a minus five rating, is just a little rusty after missing the first five weeks of the season.

Mikael Backlund is having trouble at times at the faceoff dot as he has returned from a broken finger. Backlund has won 19 of 41 draws thus far but it's been a bit skewed as he was only five-of-17 against Colorado and is 14-of-24 in his other two games. "A little bit on faceoffs sometimes it's a little sore. Get slashed and fall on it, it obviously hurts sometimes when you fall bad on it," Backlund said. "But it won't break again and it's real strong now. It feels good handling the puck and everything. It's not a big issue." He should be better the rest of the way and has value in most pools as he is currently centering the top line alongside Alex Tanguay and Jarome Iginla.

Mikael Backlund played in his 100th career game on Tuesday. Backlund has only appeared in three contests this season because of a broken finger. He returned on November 11th and has no points and a minus-five rating in three games. He's got a bright future, but we wouldn't recommend owning him in standard fantasy leagues at this time.

Mikael Backlund has been activated off of the injured reserve list. The Flames did not release a formal announcement to that effect on their website, but their official team roster no longer lists him as being on the injured reserve list. The Flames made room for Backlund by sending Niklas Hagman to the minors after he cleared waivers on Friday. Backlund will play on a line with Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay.

Mikael Backlund (broken finger) was cleared to play and will start on Friday on the top line between Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay. This was the role that was proclaimed for him in the off-season and the Flames would love it if he could fill the spot. Backlund suffered the broken finger in training camp and Friday will mark his season debut. Get him in your lineup in deeper leagues and if he is on the waiver wire, grab him quickly in all but shallow leagues. He will be officially taken off the injured reserve list when Niklas Hagman passes through waivers at noon ET Friday.

Mikael Backlund is projected to activated from a broken pinky finger on Friday to play that night against the Chicago Blackhawks. He is slated to center Calgary's top line between Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay when he makes his season debut. The Flames placed Niklas Hagman on waivers Thursday to open a roster spot for Backlund. We'll keep you posted when the move becomes official.

Mikael Backlund (broken finger) might play in Friday's contest. Backlund has missed Calgary's first 14 games due to the injury. He's a candidate to play alongside Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay when he's healthy.

The Flames are hoping that Mikael Backlund (broken finger) will return to practice next week. Calgary is struggling to score goals and they could sure use a healthy Backlund. He may return as early as next weekend to center Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay bumping Olli Jokinen back to the second unit. Stay tuned for further updates.