“Today’s always an exciting day, kind of an official start of the season." Mikael Backlund speaks on the group being ba Via @NHLFlames on X

What happened: Mikael Backlund said the group’s return ahead of training camp feels like the official start of a new campaign.

Why it matters: The gathering marks the NHL offseason’s shift toward the 2026-27 season. Backlund’s comments frame camp as the first organizational checkpoint of the new year.

What to watch: Training camp will offer the next updates on the group’s readiness and outlook.

Sources