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Mikael Backlund

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Mikael Backlund
Mikael Backlund (born 17 March 1989) is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre currently playing for and serving as an alternate captain for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). Backlund was a first round selection, 24th overall, of the Flames in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, and made his NHL debut in 2008–09. He played junior hockey for VIK Västerås HK in the J20 SuperElit and the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was a member of Kelowna's WHL championship team in 2009. Internationally, Backlund has represented Sweden on several occasions—he was a member of two silver medal-winning teams at the World Junior Championship, and has won a bronze, silver and gold medals with the Swedes at the World Championship.
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Born
1989-03-17
Birth Place
Västerås, Sweden
Height
1.8542
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Yardbarker

Mikael Backlund remained the Calgary Flames’ two-way Swedish king in 2021-22

For much of the past decade, Calgary Flames centre Mikael Backlund has been a picture of Swedish consistency and efficiency. He’s been a fixture on the team’s “tough minutes” second line, facing the best and brightest of the National Hockey League. As he creeps towards his mid-30s, he remains a definitive net positive for the Flames and received Selke Trophy votes for the fifth time in six seasons.
NHL
Picture for Mikael Backlund remained the Calgary Flames’ two-way Swedish king in 2021-22
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Flames' Mikael Backlund: One of each Thursday

Backlund scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist and added two hits in Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Oilers in Game 5. Backlund was involved in the Flames' first two goals. He helped out on an Andrew Mangiapane tally in the first period before scoring one of his own in the second. With four points in five games against the Oilers, Backlund was one of the Flames' better players in the second round. The veteran center finished the playoffs with eight points in 12 outings to go with his 39 points in 82 regular-season contests.
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Flames' Mikael Backlund: Buries goal in Game 4 loss

Backlund posted an assist, three shots on goal and three hits in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Oilers in Game 4. Backlund got the Flames within a goal at 9:40 of the second period. The Swede has been solid in a two-way role in the postseason, picking up four goals, two helpers, 30 shots, 15 hits and a plus-6 rating in 11 appearances. He'll need to continue to play well with the Flames down 3-1 in this second-round series.
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Flames' Mikael Backlund: Draws helper Wednesday

Backlund posted an assist, two hits, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Oilers in Game 1. Backlund set up Andrew Mangiapane for the Flames' second goal right after a turnover in the first minute of play. The 33-year-old Backlund has now gotten on the scoresheet in four of eight playoff contests, amassing three goals, two assists, 21 shots on net, 11 hits and a plus-6 rating. He's a defensively reliable center, so he could see heavy minutes against Connor McDavid, especially when head coach Darryl Sutter can match lines on home ice.
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Flames' Mikael Backlund: Scores in loss Friday

Backlund scored a goal on four shots in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 6. Backlund's tallied in three straight games, but unlike the other two, the Flames took the loss Friday. The center is up to four points, 19 shots on net and a plus-4 rating through six playoff contests. He'll likely line up as the second-line pivot again in Sunday's Game 7.
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Flames' Mikael Backlund: Pair of points in Game 5 win

Backlund scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist and went plus-3 in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Stars in Game 5. Backlund tapped in a centering feed from Andrew Mangiapane at 6:49 of the third period. Just 3:49 later, Backlund returned the favor, setting up his linemate for the go-ahead tally. After starting the series quiet, Backlund has three points in his last two outings. He's added a plus-3 rating, 15 shots on net and four PIM in a second-line role.
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Flames' Mikael Backlund: Seals win with empty-netter

Backlund scored an empty-net goal on two shots, logged two hits and added four PIM in Monday's 4-1 win over the Stars in Game 4. Backlund deposited the empty-netter late in the third period to end any chance of a Stars comeback. The goal was Backlund's first point in four playoff games this year. He's been fairly active with 12 shots on net, but Stars goalie Jake Oettinger hasn't made things easy for the Flames.
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Flames nominate Mikael Backlund for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund has been named one of the 32 nominees for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. Each of the National Hockey League’s 32 teams selected a nominee for the award, which is presented annually “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”
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CBS Sports

Flames' Mikael Backlund: Earns power-play assist

Backlund notched a power-play assist, three shots on goal and a minus-2 rating in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime win over the Predators. Backlund set up Dillon Dube on the opening tally 4:02 into the game. This gave Backlund five helpers, including three on the power play, in his last eight games. The 33-year-old center is up to 39 points, 211 shots on net and a plus-18 rating in 80 contests while continually holding down a second-line job.
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Flames' Mikael Backlund: Logs helper Saturday

Backlund provided an assist, three shots on goal and two PIM in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Canucks. Backlund won a faceoff back to Nikita Zadorov, who scored at 13:45 of the third period to put the Flames in full control of the contest. The assist snapped a three-game skid for Backlund. The 33-year-old center has 38 points, 208 shots on net, 26 PIM and a plus-20 rating through 79 contests. He'll need two points in the final three games to avoid missing the 40-point mark for the first time in a full season since 2014-15.
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CBS Sports

Flames' Mikael Backlund: Assist streak at three games

Backlund provided an assist and went plus-3 in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Coyotes. Backlund reached the 25-assist mark this season when he set up Blake Coleman's second-period tally. This was the third straight game Backlund's picked up an assist. The 33-year-old center has 37 points, 196 shots on net, 57 hits and a plus-17 rating in 75 contests overall. He could be a solid source of depth scoring in fantasy over the last two weeks of the season.
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CBS Sports

Flames' Mikael Backlund: Assists in consecutive contests

Backlund notched a power-play assist, four shots on goal and a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Golden Knights. For the second game in a row, Backlund helped out on a power-play tally. The center has four assists in his last seven outings as he continues to provide steady supporting offense from the second line. The 33-year-old is up to 37 points, 199 shots on net and a plus-12 rating through 75 appearances.
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Flames' Mikael Backlund: Draws power-play helper

Backlund logged a power-play assist and three shots on goal in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Kraken. Backlund had the secondary assist on Noah Hanifin's go-ahead goal in the third period. This was Backlund's third helper in his last six games. The 33-year-old center has done alright with 35 points, 191 shots on net, 56 hits and a plus-16 rating through 73 outings this season. Only five of his points, all assists, have come with the man advantage.
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CBS Sports

Flames' Mikael Backlund: Offers helper in win

Backlund posted an assist and two shots on goal in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Ducks. Backlund helped out on a Tyler Toffoli goal in the second period. The 33-year-old Backlund continues to provide solid secondary scoring, as he's earned seven points in his last nine outings. The second-line center is up to 34 points, 179 shots on net, a plus-16 rating and 55 hits through 70 contests.
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CBS Sports

Flames' Mikael Backlund: Hands out helper in loss

Backlund recorded an assist in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Blues. Backlund made a good play in the neutral zone to steal the puck, then found Johnny Gaudreau up the middle for the goal. The 33-year-old Backlund has earned six points in his last seven outings, giving himself some momentum heading into April. The Swede has 33 points, 175 shots on net and a plus-15 rating through 68 contests, so he'll likely push for the 40-point threshold by the end of the season.
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CBS Sports

Flames' Mikael Backlund: Racks up three points

Backlund scored a pair of goals on eight shots, dished an assist, went plus-3 and added two PIM in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Oilers. Backlund scored the Flames' third and eighth goals in the game before setting up Dillon Dube on the ninth. This was Backlund's first multi-point effort since March 1 -- he's at five goals and four assists in 14 outings this month. The Swede crossed the 30-point threshold Saturday with 12 goals, 20 helpers, 170 shots on net, a plus-16 rating and 20 PIM through 65 contests.
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