The Calgary Flames announced that center Mikael Backlund is sidelined indefinitely with an undisclosed injury.

Mikael Backlund Injured

Backlund was injured after taking an open-ice hit by Minnesota Wild defensemen Mathew Dumba in the final minute of the Flames 2-0 win vs the Wild. Dumba was not penalized on the play.

So far this season, Backlund has scored five goals and 12 assists for 17 points to go along with 18 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 56 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of +2.9 percent.

Over his 11-year NHL career, Backlund has played for the Calgary Flames. He has 113 goals and 177 assists for 290 career points in 572 career games. He was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames, 24th overall in the 2007 NHL draft.

What This Means for the Future

Backlund is the Flames second line center and has won half of his draws so far this season. He also is part of the Flames secondary power-play unit. The career-long Flame is a leader for a young Flames team who will look to make a deep playoff push this season. The Flames have gotten off to a hot start and are currently leading the Pacific Division. Backlund has had a solid month of December so far picking up seven points in nine games. Sam Bennett with likely move over from the wing to center the Flames second line while Backlund is out of the line-up. James Neal will move up and take Bennett’s spot on the wing.

The Flames are also without forward Michael Frolik who has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury. The Flames have announced that he will not play Friday as he hasn’t skated with the team since the injury.

MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 07: Mikael Backlund #11 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 7, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Calgary Flames defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)