15-Year Veteran Voices "Uncertainty" About His Future With Flames

It hasn't been the easiest indoctrination thus far this summer for new Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy. With several players set to enter their walk years in 2023-24, Conroy has already had to deal one of them, Tyler Toffoli, while another, top blueliner Noah Hanifin, could very well be next. 

Now another of those pending unrestricted free agents, Mikael Backlund, has come out in a media outlet in his native Sweden, saying, in effect, he has no intention of signing an extension at this point; he's uncertain about his future in Calgary, and is going to take a 'wait and see' approach. 

Via Google Translate: "I'm ready to come back and play the season and if it goes great I might want to extend after the season. If it doesn't go well, we'll see what happens."#Flames https://t.co/ctwv3qofuZ

— Ryan Pike (@RyanNPike) July 18, 2023

Backlund told SportExpressen, "Last season was tough... I'm ready to come back and play the season and if it goes great I might want to extend after the season. If it doesn't go well, we'll see what happens."

The 15-year Flame had his best personal season this past year, with 19 goals and 56 points, along with a plus-24 rating. He joins the likes of Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov (in addition to Hanifin) who haven't signed extensions, and at this point, are set to become UFAs after next season. 

Whichever of the above foursome aren't traded this summer, could certainly be dealt by the trade deadline in early 2024 if the Flames are out of the playoff chase again and no new deals are in place for them. 

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports