Mikael Backlund — Stats & Advanced Analytics
Mikael Backlund is an NHL center for the Calgary Flames. In the 2025-26 season Mikael Backlund has 17 goals, 26 assists and 43 points in 82 games, worth 3.5 Goals Above Replacement.
Player Overview
Mikael Backlund is a long-tenured and reliable center for the Calgary Flames, boasting an 18-season career spanning 1148 games. He has amassed 232 goals and 374 assists for 606 career points. His peak performance saw a robust 9.3 GAR in 2022-23, showcasing his significant contributions.
Now at 37, Backlund continues to be an effective presence, posting 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points in 82 games this season, resulting in a 2.9 GAR. His primary value stems from his even-strength offense, which accounts for +2.2 GAR, highlighting his consistent playmaking and scoring ability.
Player Profile
| Position | Center |
|---|---|
| Team | Calgary Flames |
| Shoots / Catches | L |
| Height | 6'0" |
| Weight | 206 lb |
| Draft | 2007 — Round 1, Pick 24 — CGY |
2025-26 Season Stats
| GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | Shots | S% | TOI/GP | CF% | xG | Game Score | GAR | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 17 | 26 | 43 | +7 | 16 | 186 | 9.1% | 17:57 | 46.5% | 17.1 | 0.4 | 3.5 | 0.63 |
GAR Component Breakdown
| Even-Strength Offense | Even-Strength Defense | Power-Play Offense | Shorthanded Defense |
|---|---|---|---|
| +3.8 | +0.3 | -0.2 | -0.6 |
League percentile rank: points 76th, GAR 57th, WAR 57th (100th = league leader).
Career by Season (Regular Season)
| Season | GP | G | A | P | GAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 82 | 17 | 26 | 43 | 3.5 |
| 2024-25 | 76 | 15 | 17 | 32 | 2.5 |
| 2023-24 | 82 | 15 | 24 | 39 | 2.5 |
| 2022-23 | 82 | 19 | 37 | 56 | 7.9 |
| 2021-22 | 82 | 12 | 27 | 39 | 3.6 |
| 2020-21 | 54 | 9 | 23 | 32 | 1.5 |
| 2019-20 | 70 | 16 | 29 | 45 | 3.6 |
| 2018-19 | 77 | 21 | 26 | 47 | 7.5 |
| 2017-18 | 82 | 14 | 31 | 45 | 1.7 |
| 2016-17 | 81 | 22 | 31 | 53 | 8.3 |
| 2015-16 | 82 | 21 | 26 | 47 | 9.0 |
| 2014-15 | 52 | 10 | 17 | 27 | 1.5 |
| 2013-14 | 76 | 18 | 21 | 39 | 3.4 |
| 2012-13 | 32 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 4.4 |
Analysis
In the 2025-26 season Mikael Backlund has been worth 3.5 Goals Above Replacement, which ranks in the 57th percentile leaguewide.
His value is driven primarily by even-strength offense (+3.8 GAR), while his shorthanded defense grades below replacement (-0.6).
Across 14 tracked seasons his GAR peaked at 9.0 in 2015-16.
All figures are model outputs from Hockey Alchemy. Learn how the value metrics are built on the methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mikael Backlund's GAR this season?
Mikael Backlund has been worth 3.5 Goals Above Replacement (GAR) in the 2025-26 season, in the 57th percentile of NHL players.
What is Mikael Backlund's WAR this season?
Mikael Backlund has been worth about 0.6 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in the 2025-26 season, in the 57th percentile of NHL players. WAR converts GAR to wins at roughly 5.57 goals per win.
How many points does Mikael Backlund have this season?
Mikael Backlund has 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points in 82 games this season.
Is Mikael Backlund a good center?
Mikael Backlund ranks in the 57th percentile among NHL skaters by GAR (3.5) in the 2025-26 season.
What is Mikael Backlund's career GAR?
Across 14 NHL seasons tracked by Hockey Alchemy, Mikael Backlund has accumulated 60.9 career GAR and 560 points.
When was Mikael Backlund drafted?
Mikael Backlund was drafted in 2007 — Round 1, Pick 24 — CGY.