In the case of Mikael Backlund there would be a turning point.
The forward and the Calgary Flames have finally begun negotiations over a contract extension, TSN journalist Chris Johnston reported Tuesday.
He added that both parties intend to continue discussions in the coming weeks.
However, the 34-year-old veteran stated this summer that he would not sign a new contract with the Alberta organization at the end of next season. He told the Swedish magazine “VLT” that he took the necessary time to make this “difficult decision”.
Backlund spent all 14 of his NHL seasons with the Flames. Over the course of his career, the center player scored 492 points in 908 games, including 185 goals.
Last season, the Swede achieved his best record with 56 points, including 19 goals, in 82 games. However, the Flames were eliminated from the playoffs.
On June 26, he won the King Clancy Trophy, which rewards community engagement, for his work with the Alberta Association to Combat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).