2018-19 Player Report Card: Mikael Backlund

Mikael Backlund: Centre

Regular Season: 77 GP, 21 G, 26 A, 47 Pts, 52 PIM, +34, 1.9 CFRel%

Playoffs: 5 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts, 8 PIM

Individual Grades

MarkParkinson14 = (B+) Backlund’s offensive totals were right on track with his career marks and he was a steady and reliable player on the ice as usual. His 47 points were the second highest mark of his career, as were his 21 goals. He was also a solid presence at the face off dot as well. His 49.6% FO% was the second best of his career and he was a steady hand on a second line that had it’s ups and downs over the course of the season. Basically: another year, another solid season for Mikael Backlund.

Madeline Campbell = (A-) I feel like we’ve gotten to a point now where we pretty much know what to expect from Backlund—he’ll bring a solid defensive game and a bit of extra scoring punch, when needed. He’s not always terribly flashy, but he can be from time to time. Can we revisit this goal please?

But anyway, the point I’m trying to get at here is that Backlund is nothing if not consistent, and he was solid in his role once again, this season. He’s getting to about that point where you start to worry about the aging curve hitting him hard, but he’s still out there doing his thing. It’s hard to find much to complain about.

MilhouseFirehouse = (A): Backs has certainly earned his offseason, getting to spend time with the new addition to his family after another excellent campaign. With his even strength CF% at 55.0 and even strength Fenwick For % at 54.5 in the regular season (46.2 and 44.1 in the playoffs, respectively) he continues to be solid in the possession department and reliable in the 200-foot aspects of the game. As everyone’s mentioned, what we consistently expect from Backlund is to get what we expect consistently, and he continues to deliver.

MGMacGillivray = (A-) I think pretty everyone above has hit most of the key points with Backlund thus far. He’s formed a dynamite duo with Matthew Tkachuk since the youngster’s arrival in Calgary three years ago, and gives the Flames a really solid second line. I thought Backlund also showed an improved offensive side to his game this year, and if the Flames can potentially hook a scoring winger onto their right side, I expect his points to increase again next year.

by Mark Parkinson