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Stefan Tonev
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Mikael Backlund signs 2-year extension with Flames
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The 34-year-old will be staying with Calgary and is named their captain

Mikael Backlund has signed a 2-year contract extension with the Calgary Flames, the club announced on Wednesday night.

It is a $9-million deal, which ties the player with the club until 2025.

Backlund had only a year left on his previous contract and would have become a free agent next summer.

The 34-year-old had a pivotal role in Calgary’s last campaign as he notched 19 goals and 37 assists in 2022-23.

“The reason he’s still here and he’s playing at a high level, had the best year of his career last year was because he does everything right, off the ice, on the ice, to take care of himself,” Flames head coach Craig Conroy said.

Backlund has played his entire NHL career at Flames and is their longest serving player. In his stint he has experienced the captaincy of elusive names such as Jarome Iginla and Mark Giordano.

“Jarome and Gio weren’t the guys that were talking for the full intermission,” Backlund said. “But when there was something needed to be said, they said it.

“Everyone respected them so much, and when they talked everyone was listening and we were quiet. So that’s something I’m going to gain here with my teammates.”