Mikael
Backlund
C · CGY · Balanced · Below average
- PAL
- 39
- WAR
- 0.9
- Value
- 25
- PTS
- 43
2025-26№ 170 / 615
Mikael Backlund (Calgary Flames) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Mikael Backlund
#11CPlays: Centre · 90% of faceoffs
Calgary Flames
HEIGHT : 183 cm · WEIGHT : 93 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : March 16, 1989 · Vasteras, Sweden
Drafted : 2007 · CGY · round 1, pick #24
Contract : $3,250,000 · 2026-27 → 2027-28 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFANMC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Calgary Flames | 16 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| 2025-26 | Calgary Flames | 82 | 17 | 26 | 43 | 16 |
| 2024-25 | Calgary Flames | 76 | 15 | 17 | 32 | 32 |
| 2023-24 | Calgary Flames | 82 | 15 | 24 | 39 | 24 |
| 2022-23 | Calgary Flames | 82 | 19 | 37 | 56 | 36 |
| 2021-22 | Calgary Flames | 82 | 12 | 27 | 39 | 30 |
| 2020-21 | Calgary Flames | 54 | 9 | 23 | 32 | 30 |
| 2019-20 | Calgary Flames | 70 | 16 | 29 | 45 | 26 |
| 2018-19 | Calgary Flames | 77 | 21 | 26 | 47 | 52 |
| 2017-18 | Calgary Flames | 82 | 14 | 31 | 45 | 78 |
| 2016-17 | Calgary Flames | 81 | 22 | 31 | 53 | 36 |
| 2015-16 | Calgary Flames | 82 | 21 | 26 | 47 | 28 |
| 2014-15 | Calgary Flames | 52 | 10 | 17 | 27 | 14 |
| 2013-14 | Calgary Flames | 76 | 18 | 21 | 39 | 32 |
| 2012-13 | Calgary Flames | 32 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 29 |
| 2011-12 | Calgary Flames | 41 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 16 |
| 2010-11 | Calgary Flames | 73 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 18 |
| 2009-10 | Calgary Flames | 23 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 6 |
| 2008-09 | Calgary Flames | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NHL totals | 1163 | 234 | 377 | 611 | 509 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Calgary Flames | 12 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 8 |
| 2019-20 | Calgary Flames | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| 2018-19 | Calgary Flames | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| 2016-17 | Calgary Flames | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2014-15 | Calgary Flames | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| Playoff totals | 42 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 32 | |
Honours
- 🏆 King Clancy Memorial Trophyonce · 2022-23
Mikael Backlund: our analysis
2025-26 season: 82 GP, 17 G, 26 A, 43 PTS, +7 +/-, 17:57 TOI. WAR 0.9 (170th of 615) · PAL 39, below average.
In 2025-26, Mikael Backlund, 37, posts a PAL Rating of 39 out of 100 (below average), and his WAR of 0.9 ranks 170th among 615 regulars, in the top half.
His strengths: defense (81, well above average) and possession (70, above average). On the other hand, penalty kill (0, among the weakest in the league) and shooting (11, among the weakest in the league) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+3.1); his biggest cost: finishing (-3.1).
A slight dip from 2024-25, when his PAL was 43; his WAR, though, went from 0.7 to 0.9.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 25 (poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Mikael Backlund's story
Growing up in Västerås, Backlund moved quickly through the local system of VIK Västerås HK, earning senior minutes in HockeyAllsvenskan while still a teenager. He attracted attention for his two-way instincts early on, standing out in national under-17 competition and earning the Sven Tumba Award as tournament best forward.
After alternating between junior and senior levels in Sweden, Calgary selected him in the first round, 24th overall, at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He signed an entry-level deal following the 2007–08 season and split time between North America and Sweden in 2008–09, making his NHL debut before joining the Kelowna Rockets for the WHL playoffs, where he played a key role in the club’s league title run.
Backlund’s pro career has been spent largely with the Calgary Flames organization. Early AHL assignments with Abbotsford helped him adjust to the North American game before he stuck with Calgary and developed into a reliable two-way centre. Landmarks include his first NHL goal in January 2010, a 20-goal campaign in 2015–16 and a breakout 2016–17 season that earned him recognition in Selke Trophy voting. He signed a long-term extension in 2018, then in September 2023 agreed to a two-year extension and was named the 21st captain in franchise history.
Internationally, Backlund has represented Sweden across age levels and at senior tournaments. He led scoring at youth events, helped Sweden to back-to-back World Junior silver medals, and later contributed to Swedish medal performances at the World Championships and in the World Cup of Hockey.
On the ice, Backlund is best described as a balanced centre: defensively reliable, effective on the penalty kill and capable of steady offence. Over the years he has carved out a role that blends shutdown responsibilities with timely scoring, making him a consistent presence in Calgary’s centre corps.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 18:21
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:01
- SH TOI/GP
- 2:55
- Pts/GP
- 0.33
- EV points
- 5
- Hits
- 9
- Blocks
- 7
- Takeaways
- 2
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 52.9 %
- Off. zone starts
- 31.1 %
- Faceoffs
- 49.8 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
34between 16 and 51 (80% range)
- Goals
- 13
- Assists
- 21
- Games
- 79
So far: 5 pts in 16 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.46 pts per game (last season: 0.52).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 0.48 in 23-24, 0.52 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 43 → 39
Outlook, age included
↘ Slight declineAge 37: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 85 %
75
Established NHL
- SK
- Skating
- 74
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 67
- Confidence 88 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 82
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 91
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 61
- Confidence 88 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 50
- Confidence 67 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 66
- Confidence 88 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- 78
- Confidence 94 %
- PA
- Passing
- 76
- Confidence 85 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 66
- Confidence 85 %
- DF
- Defense
- 80
- Confidence 83 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 56
- Confidence 25 %
- EX
- Experience
- 92
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating74
- Top speed (35 %)36 · 73
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)4.56 · 68
- Distance /60 (20 %)16.6 · 80
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.6 · 77
ST — Strength67
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)2.562 · 58
- Body mass (50 %)0.116 · 79
EN — Endurance82
- Ice time per game (45 %)17.2 · 83
- Total ice time (20 %)1,416 · 86
- Shift length (15 %)44 · 70
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)16.6 · 85
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)3.51 · 84
DU — Durability91
- Share of games played (100 %)0.891 · 91
CK — Checking61
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.214 · 63
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)1.594 · 60
- Season volume (10 %)3.178 · 61
FG — Fighting50
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.655 · 50
DI — Discipline66
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.012 · 65
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.498 · 81
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.431 · 48
FO — Faceoffs78
- Faceoff % (85 %)49.8 · 75
- Faceoffs /60 (15 %)57.1 · 93
PA — Passing76
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.809 · 81
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.259 · 47
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.164 · 84
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)3.289 · 50
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.464 · 74
SC — Scoring66
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.713 · 71
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.761 · 73
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)-0.831 · 62
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)1.131 · 69
- xG per shot (10 %)0.074 · 37
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)14.8 · 84
DF — Defense80
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.111 · 86
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.187 · 83
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.548 · 78
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.285 · 54
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.395 · 74
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)58.2 · 74
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)1.928 · 61
PS — Penalty shot56
- Shootouts (60 %)29.8 · 53
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience92
- Career regular-season games (65 %)99
- Career playoff games (25 %)71
- NHL seasons (10 %)100
OV — Overall75
- SC · Scoring (20 %)66
- PA · Passing (20 %)76
- DF · Defense (20 %)80
- SK · Skating (12 %)74
- FO · Faceoffs (10 %)78
- EN · Endurance (8 %)82
- DI · Discipline (5 %)66
- ST · Strength (3 %)67
- CK · Checking (2 %)61
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 75 | 74 | 66 | 80 |
| 2024-25 | 76 | 77 | 67 | 80 |
| 2023-24 | 80 | 80 | 69 | 80 |
| 2022-23 | 87 | 81 | 77 | 87 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
0.9
wins above replacement
170 of 615
PAL Rating
39/ 100
Performance · Below average
274 of 476 at the position
Value Rating
25/ 100
Poor return
4.50 M$ · expected PAL 61
ProfileBalancedNeither end dominates
- Offense
- 46
- Defense
- 50
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 58
- Creation
- 44
- Shooting
- 11
- Possession
- 70
- Defense
- 81
- Discipline
- 30
- Power play
- 45
- Penalty kill
- 0
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CGY | 0.9 | 39 | 25 | 4.50 M$ |
| 2024-25 | CGY | 0.7 | 43 | 25 | 4.50 M$ |
| 2023-24 | CGY | 0.3 | 57 | 34 | 5.35 M$ |
| 2022-23 | CGY | 0.9 | 88 | 75 | 5.35 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
35/ 100
Below average
better than 35% of forwards, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
2/ 100
Low
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
90/ 100
Elite
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 274 of 424 forwards.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 86
- Shot selection
- 1
- Penalties drawn
- 2
- Puck management
- 46
Defense
- Takeaways
- 91
- Discipline
- 82
- Safe zone exits
- 30
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CGY | 35 | 2 | 90 |
| 2024-25 | CGY | 24 | 3 | 75 |
| 2023-24 | CGY | 44 | 23 | 65 |
| 2022-23 | CGY | 70 | 31 | 86 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
0.9
wins above replacement
0.0 to 2.0 — 90% interval
170 of 615 forwards
+5.0 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +3.1
- EV defense
- +2.6
- Power play
- +0.4
- Penalty kill
- -1.5
- Shooting
- -3.1
- Penalties
- -0.2
- Average → replacement
- +3.7
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CGY | 82 | 0.9 | 0.0 to 2.0 | 170/615 |
| 2024-25 | CGY | 73 | 0.7 | -0.4 to 1.7 | 201/596 |
| 2023-24 | CGY | 82 | 0.3 | -0.6 to 1.3 | 276/608 |
| 2022-23 | CGY | 82 | 0.9 | -0.5 to 2.4 | 154/617 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 146.1 km/h93rd percentileleague avg. 130.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 34.1 km/h22nd percentileleague avg. 35.2 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 2261st percentileleague avg. 21
- Offensive zone time
- 38.8 %17th percentileleague avg. 43.1 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 71.5 km72nd percentileleague avg. 52.2 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.33 km78th percentileleague avg. 4.52 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 41.3 %55th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
- Neutral zone time
- 18.4 %68th percentileleague avg. 16.8 %
- Defensive zone time
- 42.7 %18th percentileleague avg. 40.1 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 4087th percentile | 254th percentile | 5.0 %10th percentile |
| High danger | 1278th percentile | 157th percentile | 8.3 %17th percentile |
| Mid range | 1179th percentile | 177th percentile | 9.1 %41st percentile |
| Long range | 695th percentile | 092nd percentile | 0.0 %87th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
PHI
ANA
SEA
SJS
COL
EDM
TOR
CAR
VGK
VANMikael Backlund: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Mikael Backlund have in 2026-27?
Mikael Backlund has 2 goals and 5 points (3 assists) in 16 games in 2026-27.
How old is Mikael Backlund?
Mikael Backlund is 37 years old: he was born on March 17, 1989.
How tall is Mikael Backlund, and how much does he weigh?
Mikael Backlund is 6'0" (183 cm) and weighs 205 lb (93 kg).
Where is Mikael Backlund from?
Sweden: Mikael Backlund was born in Vasteras, Sweden.
What team does Mikael Backlund play for?
Mikael Backlund plays for the Calgary Flames in the NHL, at C, wearing number 11.
Is Mikael Backlund injured?
No: Mikael Backlund is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Mikael Backlund?
Mikael Backlund produced 0.9 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 170th of 615 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 39 out of 100: below average for his position.
How much does Mikael Backlund make?
Mikael Backlund earns $4.5M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 25 out of 100 (poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Mikael Backlund's contract end?
Mikael Backlund's contract runs through the 2027-28 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC / M-NTC clause.
Is Mikael Backlund overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 25 out of 100 (poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Mikael Backlund a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 170th of 615 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Mikael Backlund getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 43 in 2024-25 to 39 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Mikael Backlund played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Mikael Backlund has 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists).
What are Mikael Backlund's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Mikael Backlund has 1,163 games, 234 goals, 377 assists and 611 points. His best season: 2022-23, with 56 points in 82 games.
Where was Mikael Backlund drafted?
Mikael Backlund was drafted 24th overall (round 1) by Calgary Flames in 2007.
Is Mikael Backlund better at home or on the road?
At home: in 2026-27, he averages 0.38 points per game at home (3 in 8 games) and 0.25 on the road (2 in 8 games).
How does Mikael Backlund perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Mikael Backlund has 42 games and 22 points in his career. His pace (0.52 points per game) is similar to his regular-season pace (0.53).
Which player is most similar to Mikael Backlund?
Evan Rodrigues: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Evan Rodrigues's page →Is Mikael Backlund a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 34 points in 2026-27, or 0.43 points per game.
Is Mikael Backlund related to anyone famous?
Yes: Gary Sundgren (uncle, former professional footballer); Daniel Sundgren (cousin, professional footballer).
Is Mikael Backlund married?
Yes, married to Frida Engström in 2018.
What is Mikael Backlund's nationality?
Mikael Backlund is Swedish. Internationally: Represented Sweden: World Junior Championship silver medals (2008, 2009); bronze, silver and gold medals at the World Championship (gold in 2018).
What awards has Mikael Backlund won?
Sven Tumba Award (best forward) at TV-pucken, 2006 ; Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award, 2014.
How many championships has Mikael Backlund won?
2: Ed Chynoweth Cup (WHL champion) with the Kelowna Rockets, 2009; World Championship (gold) with Team Sweden, 2018.
Where did Mikael Backlund play before turning pro?
VIK Västerås HK (J20 SuperElit; HockeyAllsvenskan) — senior debut on 2 November 2005 as a 16-year-old; Kelowna Rockets (WHL) — remainder of the 2008–09 season.
How many points is Mikael Backlund projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 34 points in 79 games in 2026-27 (16 to 51 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Calgary Flames teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)