Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund is facing what he calls his "last shot" at a lifelong dream: representing Sweden at the Olympic Games. With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy, on the horizon, the 36-year-old centre is in the midst of a compelling campaign to play his way onto the Swedish national team roster.
A Motivating Message and an Open Competition
Backlund recently had a conversation that fueled his aspirations. He spoke with the general manager of Sweden's Olympic team, who delivered a clear and motivating message. The GM indicated that roles on the team's bottom six forward lines are "wide-open" and described the competition as a "dogfight." He highlighted Backlund's leadership, extensive experience, and proficiency on the penalty kill as valuable assets.
"He said, 'Do what you do, and we'll see what happens,'" Backlund relayed. With the Olympic roster deadline just weeks away, the Flames' veteran has been doing exactly that, performing at a high level and even garnering early consideration for the Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward.
Controlling the Controllables Amid Olympic Hopes
Despite the tantalizing possibility, Backlund is trying to maintain focus on his immediate duties with the Flames. "Of course, Olympics is in the back of your mind, but you can't control it," Backlund stated. "All I can control is my game playing here with the Flames. Every day, focus on winning games here and do my best for the team."
He admits to cautioning himself against getting too hopeful, using the word "devastated" to describe the potential disappointment of not being selected. This intensity underscores how much the opportunity means to him. While he has proudly worn the Tre Kronor jersey at five World Championships and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the Olympics have remained elusive because the NHL did not participate during his prime years.
The Swedish Centre Ice Logjam
Backlund's path to the Olympic roster is not clear-cut. He finds himself in a crowded field of talented Swedish centres vying for a limited number of spots. Projections suggest Leo Carlsson (Anaheim Ducks), Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks), and Mika Zibanejad (New York Rangers) are likely locks for the team.
This likely leaves two centre positions available for a group including William Eklund (San Jose Sharks), Joel Eriksson Ek (Minnesota Wild), William Karlsson (Vegas Golden Knights), Elias Lindholm (Boston Bruins), and Backlund. Eriksson Ek and Lindholm may have a slight edge as participants in last winter's 4 Nations Face-Off, but Backlund's consistent two-way play and leadership are making a strong case.
His performance is giving the Swedish braintrust, including GM Josef Boumedienne and coach Sam Hallam, plenty to consider. The old hockey adage that you can never have too many centres also works in his favour, as versatile pivots can always be shifted to the wing.
For Backlund, this represents the culmination of a career-long ambition. "It'll be my last shot," he said of the 2026 Games. "So it would mean the world to get a chance to go." As the deadline approaches, the Flames captain continues to state his case not with words, but with his dependable, detail-oriented play on the ice every night.
