BANFF, Alberta (AP) — Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund will miss up to six weeks of the season with a finger injury.
The Flames said the 22-year-old forward required surgery on his finger and will sit out the opening weeks of the season.
Calgary’s season opener is Saturday at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Backlund was being considered as a possible first-line center between captain Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay.
The Swede was Calgary’s first-round pick, 24th overall, in the 2007 draft.
He had 10 goals and 15 assists in 73 games in 2010-11, which was his first full season in the NHL.
