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Calgary Flames Playoff Run takes Hit with Key Injury

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The Calgary Flames are facing a significant challenge as captain Mikael Backlund has been sidelined with an upper-body injury. It was announced he is on a week-to-week status. This development comes at a critical juncture in the season, with the team vying for a playoff spot. Compounding the issue is the two-game suspension of forward Connor Zary, further depleting the Flames’ depth at centre. With just 18 games left to play this season, this injury comes at one of the worst times possible. Calgary will need to rally and step up in Backlund’s absence to make the playoffs.

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Mikael Backlund‘s Injury and Its Impact

Backlund sustained his injury during the first period of the Flames’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks back on Wednesday, March 12th. The 35-year-old forward has been a cornerstone of Calgary’s lineup, appearing in all 64 games this season and contributing 24 points, including 11 goals.

Known for his defensive acumen, Backlund plays a pivotal role in the Flames strategy. He averages significant ice time per game, often matched against opposing teams’ top lines. His proficiency in defensive zone faceoffs is notable, frequently taking critical draws to alleviate pressure on the Flames defence. He leads the Flames centres starting nearly 30% of the time in his defensive zone. Backlund’s faceoff win percentage is among the highest on the team, underscoring his value in puck possession and defensive reliability.

Connor Zary‘s Suspension

The Flames’ centre depth is further strained by the suspension of Connor Zary. The 23-year-old forward received a two-game ban for elbowing Canucks defenceman Elias Pettersson during the same game on March 12th. Zary responded to a big hit on teammate Nazem Kadri by delivering an elbow to Pettersson. The Flames liked the response by Zary, but unfortunately, his carelessness could hurt the Flames.

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Zary has been an emerging talent for Calgary, tallying 24 points in 49 games this season. Prior to his own injury earlier this season, Zary was one of the Flames best offensive creators. Calgary was hoping he could step up and regain his form. Instead, his absence exacerbates the Flames challenges at the centre position, especially with Mikael Backlund’s injury.

Assessing the Flames’ Centre Depth

With both Backlund and Zary unavailable, the Flames’ centre depth is notably thin. Nazem Kadri, a seasoned pivot, is expected to shoulder increased responsibilities. Kadri has been productive this season, but the additional burden may impact his effectiveness. The Flames will need the newly acquired Morgan Frost to step up. Frost has been just okay since joining the Flames, playing primarily in a third-line role. He will now surely be asked to take more key faceoffs and likely see a jump in nightly ice time.

Beyond Kadri and Frost, the Flames’ options are limited. Youngsters and less experienced players may be called upon to fill the void, but relying on them in high-stakes situations poses risks. The lack of depth at centre could disrupt the team’s balance, affecting both offensive production and defensive stability.

Potential Solutions for the Flames

With the trade deadline past, the Flames are limited to internal solutions. The fact that the Flames weren’t able to add centre depth at the deadline now becomes a bigger issue. Calgary can look to make some promotions from the AHL, but will likely be relying on their current NHL roster to step up.

  • Line Adjustments: The Flames likely first option to fill Backlund’s role would have been Zary. With his suspension, Calgary is turning to Yegor Sharangovich to take this role. Sharangovich has struggled all season. He hasn’t looked nearly as good as the player he was last season. He’s seen a drop in production, and at times not looked as competitive as the Flames would like. This is a big challenge to Sharangovich to prove he can still impact winning, even if he’s not scoring. Outside of Sharangovich the only other real option on the Flames roster is Martin Pospisil. The Flames tried him at centre earlier this season. The experiment didn’t go well, and Pospisil was eventually demoted to fourth-line winger. Pospisil is now playing some of this best hockey so the Flames are unlikely to move him to the middle unless Sharangovich is a disaster.
  • AHL Promotions: Calgary will need to elevate players from the AHL affiliate to temporarily fill roster spots. While this provides an opportunity for prospects, the lack of NHL experience could be a concern. Calgary has called up veteran Dryden Hunt to join the Flames to start. Hunt is one of the more experienced players the Flames have in the AHL, with 231 NHL games played. Hunt doesn’t have a big ceiling, but he should be reliable for the Flames, at least until Zary returns.

Upcoming Schedule and Implications of the Mikael Backlund Injury

The simultaneous absence of Mikael Backlund and Connor Zary presents a formidable challenge for the Calgary Flames. The Flames face a demanding schedule in the coming weeks, including matchups against formidable opponents such as the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and New Jersey Devils. The absence of key centres during this stretch could significantly impact the team’s performance and playoff aspirations. If the Flames can survive and find a way to get 1 or 2 points in the next two games, that would be a success.

Calgary has been a team that has defied the odds and beat expectations all season. The Flames will need everyone on the roster to step up to fill the void left by Backlund. It’s do-or-die time for Calgary and without their captain, the odds are stacked against them.

Main Photo Credit: Sergei Belski – Imagn Images

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