A number of key Calgary Flames’ players who are on track to hit career milestones throughout the 2024-25 season. In part one of a three part series, we examine Mikael Backlund’s rise up the all time games played list for the Calgary Flames.

On Oct. 30, when the Flames make their first trip to Utah, Mikael Backlund will become only the second player in Calgary Flames franchise history to suit up in 1,000 games wearing the Flaming C. The only other player to hit that milestone was the greatest player in franchise history, Jarome Iginla.

It’s pretty rare for NHL players to play in 1,000 games with the same franchise. Backlund will become just the 16th active and 82nd overall NHL player to hit the 1,000 game milestone with one team. The other active players include Alex Ovechkin (WSH), Sidney Crosby (PIT), Evgeni Malkin (PIT), Kris Letang (PIT), Anze Kopitar (LA), Drew Doughty (LA), Patrick Kane (CHI), Marc-Eduard Vlasic (SJ), Steven Stamkos (TB), Victor Hedman (TB), Jamie Benn (DAL), John Carlson (WSH), Brad Marchand (BOS), Claude Giroux (PHI) and Josh Bailey (NYI).

Backlund has been with the Flames franchise for 17 years. He was drafted in the first round of the 2007 NHL draft by then general manager Darryl Sutter.

Backlund had his ups and downs at the beginning of his time in Calgary but he was able to find a permanent spot in the Flames lineup in the 2013-14 season. Bob Hartley gave him a defensive role. Backlund took it to heart and would eventually become one of the best defensive centres in the NHL for the next ten seasons.

Backlund has been a steadying presence in the Flames lineup. You always know what you’re going to get from the Swedish centre. He’ll put up 39-56 points, play the hardest defensive match-ups, and be one of the best penalty killers on the team.

On top of all of that, he would make his wingers better players. Guys like Joe Colborne, Lance Bouma, Michael Frolik, a young Matthew Tkachuk, Blake Coleman and Andrew Mangiapane all played some of the best hockey of their careers on a line with Backlund.

One of the interesting things to watch over the next few years is if Backlund will stay with the Flames long enough to pass Jarome Iginla on the Flames all time games played list. He’s going to have to play in another 229 games, which means he’ll have to play at least two full 82 game seasons and another 65 games three years from now.

We don’t know what the future holds for Backlund, but all you can hope for is that he stays healthy and wants to sign another contract to become the all time games played leader. That would be pretty remarkable achievement for a 24th overall pick.

Hitting this milestone couldn’t happen to a better person and ambassador for the city of Calgary. Backlund has been a key part of the Flames leadership group culminating in him becoming the captain at the start of last season. Off the ice, he and his wife Frida are supporters of numerous Calgary charities that support causes like cancer research, ALS research, and pet advocacy.