CALGARY — Last Wednesday morning, Mikael Backlund couldn’t wait to spread the news.
After a lengthy offseason wondering about his future, Backlund committed the next few seasons to the Calgary Flames — the only franchise he’s ever known. On top of that, he’d have a “C” on his chest. An honor that meant a lot to him. Backlund picked up the phone and called his former teammate-turned-GM Craig Conroy to figure out when the news would be announced.
Conroy, whose voice is normally full of high spirit and energy, was dour and emotionless. Tragedy had struck. Chris…
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