Pacific Division Breakout Candidates

CALGARY FLAMES

Apr 25, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund (21) and Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) race towards the puck during the third period at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Flames 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Mikael Backlund – The Flames have been waiting for the Swedish centre to emerge as a scoring threat at the NHL level, and with a full-blown rebuild in the works, the club can give him a chance to bloom into that role, so they can see what they have in him.  He in now 24 years old and on the verge of being pigeon-holed as a third liner if he can’t put up some numbers.  He has the talent, now it is a matter of siezing the opportunity.