After a turbulent offseason, this Calgary Flames Veteran appears to have been stripped of his leadership position. <h2>Backlund No Longer Wearing A in Flames Photo</h2> As training camp ramps up for the Calgary Flames, its customary for players to go through the team's media circus, getting new headshots and other goal animations done prior to the start of the season. In a photo released by the Flames, it appears they have stripped former Assistant Captain Mikael Backlund of his assistant captaincy. <q>Backlund wore an A last year in his photo, this year, no A. 🤔 #Flames</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/FieryBreadman/status/1704934931552706915'> </a></blockquote></div> <h2>Backlund Had A Rocky Offseason With the Flames After It Was Rumoured He Wanted Out of Calgary</h2> The temperature in Calgary seems to have cooled off after many players were disappointed in the season last year. Backlund is set to become a free agent after this season, and it was rumoured he didn't want to extend his contract in order to wait and see how the team fared. <div align='center' style='padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:20px;'><img src='https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/i/photo/313493.webp' width='100%' border='0' alt='image' loading='lazy' defer /></div> While it is not confirmed, the removal of his A could be a retaliation by management, with his seeming lack of long-term interest in the Flames. After the departure of Brad Treliving this offseason, its clear that there is a new mood in Calgary.