As alluded to a few weeks ago, the Calgary Flames are keeping their captain for the next few years. The Flames announced they’ve signed Mikael Backlund to a two-year, $6.5MM contract through the 2027-28 season.
For the second contract in a row, Backlund has taken a pay cut to remain with the only organization he’s ever known. After earning a $5.35MM salary from 2018 to 2024, Backlund will watch his current $4.5MM salary drop to $3.25MM on his new extension.
Despite the Flames being engaged in a retool, Backlund has shown clarity in his desire to remain in Calgary. The Flames drafted Backlund with the 24th overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, and debuted with the team during the 2008-09 campaign.
The native of Västerås, Sweden, is primarily recognized for his defensive skills in southern Alberta, but over the past decade, he has also been a reliable secondary scorer. Since the start of the 2015-16 season, Backlund has scored 164 goals and 435 points in 768 games with a +68 rating, finishing top 10 in Selke Trophy voting three times.
His defensive production is where his value truly lies, with Backlund managing a 49.0% faceoff percentage, 90.7% on-ice save percentage at even strength, and 54.0% CorsiFor% at even strength. This has led to the Flames retaining Backlund as an active second-line center, despite rostering more offensively-minded centers.
It’s hard to determine whether this will be Backlund’s final contract with Calgary. He’ll be preparing for his age-39 season if he plays after the expiration of the extension, and will have played in his 20th professional season. He has expressed interest in playing through the Flames retool, and their competitiveness over the next few years may influence his future decisions.
Photo courtesy of Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports.
Shouldn’t be anything but a 4 line C but the Flames will give him middle 6 minutes.
After the reading the Avs article I feel like he’d slot in perfectly as their 3rd C so it’s not a stretch to give him middle 6 minutes on the Flames.
“Backs” has been a great Captain for them for years, and his fitness numbers have been unusually consistent the last few years, according to Craig Conroy, from yesterday’s Flames Talk podcast. While some Flames’ fans have been crapping on the extension, claiming he’s blocking younger players’ development, he’s a very respectable team leader and mentor. If he has two fairly healthy seasons, he’ll be able to pass Iggy on the Flames’ all-time GP list.