The Calgary Flames announced on Wednesday that they have signed veteran center Mikael Backlund to a two-year extension. Backlund was also named the team’s new captain.
The extension is reportedly worth $9 million and locks Backlund to the franchise through the 2025-26 NHL season. He is set to earn $5.35 million in 2023-24.
The 34-year-old player is coming off his most successful campaign as a pro, recording a career-high 56 points (19 goals and 37 assists) in 2022-23. He also received the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, an award given to a player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.”
Backlund spent his entire NHL career with the Flames, making his debut in the 2008–09 season. Since then, the Sweden native played 908 regular-season games, netting 185 goals alongside 307 assists for a total of 492 points.
“Mikael Backlund is our captain. He has been our captain for some time. Today we are excited to extend Mikael for two more seasons and officially add the captaincy to his jersey,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy in a statement. “We look forward to his continued leadership on the ice, in the locker room and in our community.”
