Mikael Backlund going to the Worlds (and other garbage bag day news)

The 2017-18 season has been completed by the Calgary Flames and, unfortunately, they’re not going to be in action when the Stanley Cup playoffs open on Wednesday night. As a result, players, management and the assembled media gathered at the Saddledome today for final meetings and media availabilities. We’ll be collecting the major news items of the day after the jump.

At time of this writing, the biggest news is that Mikael Backlund will take time out from his spring to head to Europe as part of Team Sweden’s entry at the World Hockey Championship. Backlund’s represented Sweden a lot in his hockey career – his previous experience includes two Under-18s, two World Juniors, four World Championships and a World Cup – but he’s never captured an international gold medal.

Confirmed as not headed to the World Championships are: Mark Giordano (his wife just had a baby), Matthew Tkachuk (recovering from a concussion), Mike Smith (unspecified), TJ Brodie (recovering from concussion and neck injury) and Travis Hamonic (concussion; also his wife is due to give birth at end of April). Michael Frolik is reportedly undecided as to whether to suit up for the Czech Republic, as his girlfriend is due with their second child soon. Johnny Gaudreau has been contacted by USA Hockey, but is going to mull his options while spending time with his dad (who’s recovering from a recent cardiac incident).

Monahan is also not going to the World Championship, because his body is broken.