In the middle of a career year, Backlund set to play 900th career game as a Flame
It's been mostly a bad year for the Flames, but it's been a pretty good one for Mikael Backlund.
The 34-year-old has been the Flames best and most consistent forward this season.
Backlund has scored 17 goals and added 32 assists for 49 points and is just four points shy of surpassing his career high for most points in a season.
He's spent his entire career with the Flames, and Saturday afternoon, will play his 900th game, when the Flames take on the San Jose Sharks.
"Yeah, it's special," Backlund said after practice Friday. "I never thought or expected I would play 900 games for one organization. I feel very privileged and it feels very special to be the third player to do that, alongside Jarome (Iginla) and Gio (Mark Giordano) makes it (feel) even more special."
To make the circle complete, Backlund's coach in 2023 is the same man who drafted him into the organization back in 2007.
"It's pretty awesome," former GM and present day head coach Darryl Sutter said. "You know what? It goes fast – like when you think about somebody like Mikael, and he's having a hell of a year – he's having his, numbers-wise, and quite honestly – performance-wise, it might be his best year."
Puck drop for the Flames and Sharks is 2 p.m. at the Saddledome.
Platform Parking on Ninth Avenue S.E. is free today for anyone going to see the Flames. The event code is 62602.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Personality changes, confusion could be key signs your liver is failing
Imagine being struck with a sudden onset of confusion, struggling to think of words or to recognize your surroundings — and even ending up in the emergency department because of it. No, this isn’t a description of dementia, but of a common complication that can arise from serious liver disease.

'Get out or be in the fire': Nova Scotians detail the moments when they fled their homes
Wildfires in Nova Scotia have burned thousands of hectares across the province, forcing many to flee their homes. Halifax-area residents tell CTV News what it was like for them when they had to evacuate.
Economic growth beats expectations with 3.1 per cent gain in Q1: StatCan
The Canadian economy grew at a stronger-than-expected annualized rate of 3.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2023.
Quebec firm to pay $10M to avoid charges over bribes promised to Philippine officials
A Quebec forensics company promised millions of dollars in bribes to officials in the Philippines, including a cabinet minister and his brother, as it sought lucrative police contracts, according to a statement of facts attached to a deal the firm struck to avoid prosecution in Canada.
Woman who accused Biden of sexually assaulting her in 1993 defects to Russia
A former staffer who accused Joe Biden of sexual assault has defected to Moscow and spoken to Russian state media in a news conference that lasted several hours.
Who are the bride and groom in Jordan's royal wedding?
He's heir to the throne in one of the oldest monarchies in the Middle East and a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. She's a Saudi architect with an aristocratic pedigree of her own.
'This is going to be a prolonged operation': Halifax-area wildfire grows to 837 hectares
Officials say the wildfire burning in the Upper Tantallon, N.S., area has grown to 837 hectares.
Sia reveals she is on the autism spectrum
Singer and songwriter Sia shares that she has autism, in an episode of the 'Rob Has a Podcast.'
Alleged Russian 'spy' whale now in Swedish waters
A beluga whale widely speculated to be an alleged Russian 'spy' has entered Swedish waters, according to OneWhale, an organization set up to protect the animal’s health and welfare.