Mikael Backlund is closing in on a major Calgary Flames milestone.
With 1,066 games played, he sits behind only Jarome Iginla (1,219) on the franchise’s all-time list. The 35-year-old captain is 153 games shy—roughly two full seasons—which means he’ll need a new contract after this year to take the top spot.
Backlund posted 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 76 games last season with a plus-4 rating. In the faceoff circle, he finished at 48.4%, trailing elite pivots like Claude Giroux (61.5%), Vincent Trochek (59.3%), Anze Kopitar (57.2%) and Sidney Crosby (57%), as well as teammate Morgan Frost (51.2%).
League-wide, the average team captain produced 57 points last year, putting Backlund’s offensive numbers below the positional and leadership norms.
Still, his value to the Flames isn’t measured solely on the scoresheet. A member of the Flames for all 17 of his NHL seasons, Backlund is deeply embedded in the community, a steadying presence in the locker room, and a respected voice among teammates.
When Craig Conroy named him the 21st captain in franchise history in 2023, the Flames GM emphasized that Backlund had been “our captain for some time.”
The Flames now face a tough call: offer Backlund a one- or two-year extension to chase Iginla’s record, or turn the page and hand the “C” to a new leader. Is franchise history worth the investment, or is it time for the next chapter in Calgary?