Backlund scored a goal and added two PIM in Friday's 7-4 win over the Stars.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund snapped an eight-game goal drought with his third-period insurance tally. During that span, the center had a modest three assists with 20 shots on net. He's a notorious slow starter, but Backlund is up to nine points, 51 shots on net, 13 hits, six PIM and a plus-5 rating through 20 contests this season. That's right on track with how he started 2022-23, which saw him end with a career-best 56 points.

Backlund picked up an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Monday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kraken.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund set up Rasmus Andersson for a wraparound in overtime, and Andersson cashed in on a rebound. That gave Backlund his 500th career point, an achievement he completed in his 926th contest. The center has been limited to three helpers over his last seven contests. He's at eight points, 50 shots on net, 13 hits, nine blocked shots and a plus-3 rating through 18 outings overall. Backlund may benefit from having playmaking winger Jonathan Huberdeau on his line.

Backlund recorded an assist and four shots on goal in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund has two helpers over his last four contests. He set up Jonathan Huberdeau's third-period tally -- those two were on a line with Blake Coleman in an effort to give the Flames some veteran consistency. Backlund has held his own early this season with seven points, 44 shots on net, 12 hits, seven blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 16 appearances.

Backlund logged an assist and two shots on goal in Friday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund set up Martin Pospisil on the Flames' game-tying goal in the third period. The 34-year-old Backlund has three points over his last three outings, giving him two goals and four assists through 13 contests this season. He's added 38 shots on net, nine hits, seven blocked shots and a plus-2 rating while skating on the third line with playing time in all situations.

Backlund scored two goals on four shots and went plus-3 in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Kraken.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund converted at 4:00 of the third period after Philipp Grubauer failed to freeze the puck following an A.J. Greer breakaway. Later in the frame, Backlund's banked clearance off the boards found the empty net. The pair of goals ended his three-game point drought. The 34-year-old center is at five points, 30 shots on net, a plus-2 rating, four PIM, seven hits and five blocked shots through 11 outings in his usual middle-six role. Backlund is no stranger to slow starts to seasons, so fantasy managers rostering him in the first half of the year will need to pack patience.

Backlund logged an assist in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund has a helper in each of the last three games. The 34-year-old center is one of the few Flames making a positive impact during their three-game losing streak. For the season, he has three assists, 21 shots on net, four blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over seven contests in a middle-six role.

Backlund registered an assist and five shots on goal in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund has a helper in each of the last two games after coming up empty in the first four contests of the season. He put a shot on net that led to a rebound for Andrew Mangiapane's goal. In addition to his two assists, Backlund has added 21 shots on net, four blocked shots, three hits, four PIM and an even plus-minus rating. He's consistently played on the third line and second power-play unit.

Backlund picked up an assist in Friday's 3-1 road loss against the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund was blanked in the first four games, posting a minus-1 rating and 14 shots on goal. He snapped his scoreless skid with the assist, which came on the shorthanded goal by Elias Lindholm midway through the third period. The 34-year-old registered a career-high 56 points last season, so he still has plenty left in the tank. He and his team are back at it Sunday against the Red Wings.

Backlund signed a two-year, $9 million contract extension with the Flames on Wednesday and was named the captain of the team.

EDGE Analysis

After a summer full of talks of upheaval, the Flames were able to get one of their longest tenured players to commit for two more years after this one. Backlund put up a career-best 56 points in 82 games last season, and he has shown consistency on offense and defense over the last decade. Expect the 34-year-old center to line up on the third line at regular strength, but he'll see time in all situations.

Backlund notched an assist and three shots on goal in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund finished 2022-23 with two goals and five assists over his last eight contests. It was the best season of his career -- the center had 56 points (19 goals, 37 assists) with 260 shots on net, 97 hits and a plus-24 rating while playing in all 82 games. Now 34 years old, it could be tough for him to repeat those numbers next season, but he should remain a solid middle-six forward.