Calgary Flames Daily: Game day, Morgan Klimchuk recalled

It’s game day! The Calgary Flames will play the Florida Panthers tonight and hopefully further secure that third place Pacific Division spot. Morgan Klimchuk has also been recalled from Stockton.

So many exciting things have been happening for the Calgary Flames over the last 24 hours. First, they finally signed Mikael Backlund to a six-year contract extension. The most anticipated signing that was going to be coming for the Calgary Flames. With an AAV of $5.35 million for another six years for one of the best two-way centres of the game, this is quite the steal.

Second, Morgan Klimchuk has been recalled this morning from Stockton in replacement of Marek Hrivik who has been placed on IR. Klimchuk is the last player from the 2013 draft for the Flames who has not played in an NHL game yet. In the projected lineups posted, he’s not on there, so we won’t see him suit up yet.

Last season, Klimchuk had 19 goals and 43 points in 66 games. So far this season, he has 13 goals and 27 points in 44 games. This has been an exciting day for the Calgary native.

Related Story: Flames sign Backlund to extension

The Flames right now sit in the third Pacific Division spot with 68 points in 58 games. The Anaheim Ducks and the LA Kings are right on their tail, with 67 points and 65 points, respectively. However, the Flames have one game on hand on the Ducks and the Kings have one game on hand on the Flames, but the Flames are still a point ahead. Who else is intensely cheering for the Buffalo Sabres and the Minnesota Wild tonight?

The Calgary Flames will try and improve their home-record tonight and keep that third Pacific Division spot with the help of Dougie Hamilton, who is playing in his 400th NHL game tonight.

Via Calgary Sun:

"“I think I’m lucky to be here and play,” said Hamilton, who has 57 goals and 150 assists in 399 NHL games. “I don’t really think of how much you’re going to play, I never dreamt of playing 1,000 games. You just try to do your best and become your best. That’s the biggest thing I want to do is be the best I can be and never really set goals for myself of how many games I wanted to play. I just wanted to play my best.”"

Some links surrounding the Flames

Game Day: Flames vs. Panthers (Calgary Sun).

Mikael Backlund signs six-year contract to stay with Calgary Flames (Calgary Sun).

Flames defenceman Dougie Hamilton joining the 400 club (Calgary Sun).

Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL

Landeskog says Avalanche good enough to make playoffs (NHL.com).

4 things we learned in the NHL: Islanders goalies make history (Sportsnet).

Olympics: Czech Republic beat Canada 3-2 in men’s hockey (LF Press).

Next: Flames six-game road trip: Under the numbers

That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!