Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund faces a week-to-week absence due to injury, leaving a gap in the lineup as the team navigates a crucial stretch.
The Calgary Flames will be without their captain, Mikael Backlund, for the foreseeable future after he suffered an upper-body injury during Wednesday’s shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks. The team has listed him as week-to-week.
Backlund exited the game in the first period after delivering a hit on Canucks defenseman Victor Mancini. While he managed to skate off without assistance, he appeared to tweak his left shoulder or upper arm and did not return.
With just over a month left in the regular season, the Flames are hopeful that Backlund’s injury won’t keep him sidelined for long. However, his absence comes at a crucial time as Calgary battles for a playoff spot in a tight Western Conference race. To make matters worse, the team also lost forward Connor Zary to a two-game suspension, further depleting their lineup ahead of tough matchups against the Avalanche and Maple Leafs.
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Backlund, who turns 36 next week, has been a model of durability, having played every game since the 2020-21 season. While his offensive numbers have dipped, posting 11 goals and 24 points in 64 games—his defensive reliability and leadership remain invaluable. Averaging nearly 19 minutes per game, he has been a key shutdown forward for Calgary while maintaining strong possession numbers despite tough defensive assignments.
Now in his 17th season with the Flames, Backlund is in the first year of a two-year, $9 million extension he signed before the 2023-24 season. He is set to become a free agent in 2026.
To help fill the void, Calgary has recalled winger Dryden Hunt from the AHL’s Wranglers on an emergency basis. Hunt, 29, has been one of the Wranglers’ top scorers this season, tallying 48 points in 48 games. With limited NHL action this year, he will likely slot into a bottom-six role as the Flames look to stay competitive in the playoff race.
Image Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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