The Calgary Flames announced that they have signed pending unrestricted free agent forward Mikael Backlund to a six-year contract extension worth $32.1 million. This breaks down to an AAV or cap hit of $5.35 million per season. The contract begins next year and carries him through the end of the 2023-2024 season.
.@CortexBusiness Transaction Alert: The #Flames have signed @mbacklund11 to a six-year extension! https://t.co/9BSgZc5eX9
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) February 17, 2018
Mikael Backlund Signs Extension With Calgary Flames
Backlund has ten goals and 34 points in 58 games with the Flames this season. He also has a 55.2% Corsi, +4.7 relative. Over his 10-year NHL career, Backlund has only played for the Flames. He has put up 104 goals and 158 assists for 262 career points in 519 career games. He was originally drafted in the 1st round, 24th overall of the 2007 NHL Draft by the Flames.
Last season Backlund broke out, posting 22 goals and 31 assists for 53 points. He would add 36 penalty minutes as well. His possession numbers were 55.0 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of +6.2.
"Our goal our whole time was to sign here and stay in Calgary. We’ve always loved the city … We’re comfortable here. This is home for us. Has been for a lot of years. It was an easy decision." – @mbacklund11 on signing a six-year extension with the #Flames pic.twitter.com/od65y6ajpV
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) February 17, 2018
What This Means For The Future
Backlund had a career year last season, scoring 22 goals and 31 assists. Both were career highs for the 28-year-old. He helped get the Flames into the playoffs after missing them in the 2015-2016 season. The Flames have been in a perpetual state of rebuilding the past few seasons but it looks like they have a good formula going now.
After Brian Elliott and Karri Ramo’s departures at the end of the season and the young players who make up the core of the team, only a few players are signed during the next few seasons. Backlund, Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and team captain Mark Giordano are the only Flames players with a contract through the 2021-22 campaign.
Backlund has developed into a very talented two-way center in the NHL. After battling injuries and bouncing around the lineup in previous years, Backlund has proven to be essential player in the Flames lineup. Signing him was a good choice for a team who are seeking to become playoff contenders for years to come.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
