The Calgary Flames have gotten to work with training camp and the 2023-24 preseason. At the same time, the Flames and current general manager Craig Conroy aren’t going to be looking too heavily at their contracts and salary cap situation right now. Mikael Backlund was among the few players with a contract expiring at the end of the 2023-24 season. With the Flames needing a captain and a contract extension for longtime Calgary Flame Mikael Backlund, they managed to name a captain and give Backlund an extension.
Backlund Gets The Captaincy
Before I dive into the contract, Mikael Backlund was also named captain during the press release and press conference to announce his contract extension. This is a well-deserved accomplishment for the Flames 2007 24th overall draft selection. The Vasteras, Sweden-born player, has played his entire career with the Flames, appearing in 908 games where he’s scored 185 goals and 307 assists for 492 career points.
Backlund has served as a Flames alternate captain since the 2018-19 season, but he’s been a leader in the community and the locker room since his arrival, according to his teammates. Backlund’s reach to the Calgary, Alberta community has always been noticed. Most recently, Backlund netted the 2023 King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his exemplary leadership qualities on and off the ice and his noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.
Related: Mikael Backlund Captures King Clancy Trophy
There’s nothing more noteworthy than being the player who’s spent his entire career with one team and has been a leader since day one. Mikael Backlund still has time left in his career, but his contributions to the Calgary Flames have a resounding ripple effect on his teammates and the Calgary community. By retiring or being traded after Backlund is gone, there will be a significant void for the Flames organization to fill in their leadership group.
Backlund’s New Contract
Backlund’s current six-year contract is set to expire at the end of the season. He’s made $5.35 million annually ever since dawning the alternate captain crest on his jersey. When he was hired, Craig Conroy made it clear that Mikael Backlund was a priority player that they wanted to re-sign. Conroy also noted that he wanted to make sure his captain had term. Now Conroy has a well-respected captain who also has term on his contract.
Related: All NHL Team Captains & Alternate Captains Heading Into The 2023-24 Season
Backlund’s new contract is worth $4.5 million, which will take effect in the 2024-25 season and expire at the end of the 2025-26 season. The contract is a 35+ player contract with no confirmed trade clause details at the time of writing. This is a team-friendly contract, especially with the salary cap going up and Backlund being a notable leader in the NHL.
