“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. “We look forward to his continued leadership on the ice, in the locker room and in our community.”
Quote:
“This is a very special day for my family and I,” said Backlund. “Calgary is our home and to know that we will continue my playing career here is important to us. As well, the possibility to play 1000th game this year as a Flame and celebrate it with our fans and the community is significant to me.”
“I’m as equally proud to be named the captain of this historic franchise,” continued Backlund. I’m ready for the responsibility that goes with wearing the C and I’m surrounded by a strong leadership group in our locker room that will help us take the next step toward winning the Stanley Cup.”
2 years, $4.5m AAV
__________________
Need a great deal on a new or pre-owned car? Come see me at Platinum Mitsubishi — 2720 Barlow Trail NE
The Following 160 Users Say Thank You to TheScorpion For This Useful Post:
__________________ I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
The Following User Says Thank You to Displaced Flames fan For This Useful Post:
I had a feeling a few days ago when Backlund was interviewed and asked if he thought not having a contract extension would factor into him not becoming captain. You could tell he was biting his tongue.
__________________
"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
Coming off an excellent season at $5.3M AAV, second in fitness testing this year, the players-endorsed leader of the team, newly minted captain Mikael Backlund’s extension for two more seasons at $4.5M AAV is some shrewd business (term AND dollars) conducted by the Flames new GM.
The Following 15 Users Say Thank You to FlamesAreOne For This Useful Post:
I had it from a good source that the earlier report of Andersson being named Captain was pretty much no bueno from the other veterans on the team and that isn't in any way a slight towards Andersson. Backlund is a name that I believe the whole team can get behind.
If all goes well, this would be a bridge to a Huberdeau captaincy in the future (if at all). Very good decision by the organization. They listened to the players. Keeping the peace in the locker room.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to InternationalVillager For This Useful Post:
I might be in the minority here but I'm not a fan of this decision.
Backlund wanted to leave 3 months ago. Conroy has made it clear that new management thinks it's important to have guys in Calgary that WANT to be in Calgary. Why attach the captaincy to a contract extension to seemingly appease a guy that didn't get the C right after Gio left, for whatever reason?
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Lonestar For This Useful Post:
I might be in the minority here but I'm not a fan of this decision.
Backlund wanted to leave 3 months ago. Conroy has made it clear that new management thinks it's important to have guys in Calgary that WANT to be in Calgary. Why attach the captaincy to a contract extension to seemingly appease a guy that didn't get the C right after Gio left, for whatever reason?
Flames name Backlund captain, announce two-year extension (2 years, $4.5m AAV)
