(Calgary) The Calgary Flames did not have a captain this past season, but for several players, Mikael Backlund occupied the de facto role.
Now he’s truly the captain and he’s eager to lead the Flames back to the playoffs after a disappointing season.
The Flames announced Wednesday that they have awarded Backlund a two-year, $9 million contract extension while making him the 21st player in club history to wear the “C.”
“It’s an exciting moment and I’m proud to carry it,” Backlund said at a press conference. But it’s hard to really realize, and I think it will take me a few days, maybe even a first match with the “C”, for me to really be aware that he is there,” added the striker , who could have become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Backlund, a 34-year-old Swede, had the best season of his career in 2022-23 with 56 points in 82 games, including 19 goals.
“The reason he’s still here, playing at a high level and having his best career season last year, is because he does all the things the right way, on the ice and off, to take care of himself,” commented Flames general manager Craig Conroy.
Backlund has played 908 games of his NHL career in a Flames uniform, and he is the longest-serving active player on the Alberta team. He made his first official outing with the Flames on January 8, 2009.
During this stay, he played alongside two influential captains in Jarome Iginla and Mark Giordano. Backlund said their leadership left an impression on him.
“Jarome and ‘Gio’ weren’t guys who talked during the whole intermission,” Backlund said. But when something needed to be said, they said it. »
Conroy revealed that Backlund has already shown that he is not afraid to demand more from his teammates.
“He has tough conversations with the players,” Conroy said. He challenges them. Its not always easy.
“I mean, no one wants to do it. You are friends. You don’t want to have these kinds of conversations. But I heard “Back” had them. And a good thing is that he doesn’t argue in front of everyone. He takes the players aside and says, “Hey, that’s not enough if we want good results.” »
The Flames missed the playoffs by two points in 2022-23.
Backlund said he was frustrated after the campaign, then disappointed to see general manager Brad Treliving leave the team and head coach Darryl Sutter fired.
However, he believes Conroy and new head coach Ryan Huska have brought renewed energy to the team.
“Everyone is always excited for a new season and the way we played last year and the way things went, everyone is eager to make amends,” Backlund said. I think it will bring a lot of energy. »
Backlund is the first Flames player to wear the “C” since Giordano, during the 2020-21 season.