Calgary, AB (Sports Network) - The Calgary Flames signed restricted free agent forward Mikael Backlund to a one-year contract worth $725,000 on Thursday.

"Mikael has an opportunity to step-up and attempt to secure a top two-line center position with our club," said Flames general manager Jay Feaster. "He is a very talented player who skates well, has excellent vision and possesses a strong skill set. As we have discussed with him, Mikael needs to work on his consistency and his focus in order to break through in a top six role and start to define his role on our team."

Backlund was slowed at the outset of last season after suffering a broken finger which required surgery that kept him out until mid-November. He finished the year with only four goals and 11 points in 41 games.

The 23-year-old Swede has totaled 15 goals and 31 assists in 138 NHL appearances over parts of four seasons with Calgary.

07/05 17:07:52 ET