The Flames honored Backlund on Sept. 27, 2023, not only with a two-year, $9 million contract (average annual value of $4.5 million) that started with the 2024-25 season, he was named the first team captain since defenseman Mark Giordano was claimed by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft.

He was in the final season of a six-year, $32.1 million contract ($5.3 million AAV) he signed Feb. 16, 2018, and could have become an unrestricted free agent after a season when he had 56 points (19 goals, 37 assists) in 82 games and was voted the King Clancy Trophy for leadership and humanitarian contributions to his community.

"Mikael Backlund is our captain," Flames general manager Craig Conroy said. "He has been our captain for some time."

Backlund became the 397th skater and the 19th born in Sweden to play his 1,000th NHL game when the Flames lost 5-1 to the Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center on Oct. 30. He also joined former teammate and Calgary captain Jarome Iginla as the second Flames player to skate his first 1,000 NHL games with the team.

Backlund signed another two-year contract ($3.25 AAV) with the Flames on Sept. 17, 2025. He was their first-round pick (No. 24) of the 2007 NHL Draft who endured multiple stops and starts because of injury (broken finger, shoulder separation, abdominal pull) that slowed his progress.

The Flames stuck by the Vasteras, Sweden, native through the setbacks that caused him to miss significant time in two of his first three seasons. Calgary signed Backlund to a two-year contract in July of 2013.

The 2013-14 season was a turning point; he played 76 games and finished with 18 goals and 39 points.

Backlund was limited to 52 games in 2014-15 due to an abdominal muscle pull, but bounced back the following season to play in all 82 games for the first time.

After the season, the Flames signed Backlund to a multiyear contract.