The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed veteran forward Cam Atkinson to a one-year, $900K contract. Atkinson was bought out of the final year of his deal with the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of free agency, leaving him open to sign with any club.
Tampa Bay continues their streak of eye-raising signings by inking one of the market’s oldest names. Atkinson, 35, struggled to hold onto his groove with the Flyers last season, managing just 28 points in 70 games and earning multiple healthy scratches in the second half of the year. It was a far fall for the acclaimed NHL veteran, especially considering he posted 23 goals and 50 points in 73 games in 2022-23.
But despite recent struggles, Atkinson will be remembered for his years of success with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Atkinson served a prominent top-line role for the Blue Jackets throughout much of the 2010s, routinely challenging the 50 or 60-point mark, on the back of consistent 20-goal scoring. He had a career year in 2016-17, when he managed 35 goals and 62 points in 82 games, only to follow it up with 41 goals and 69 points in 80 games two years later.
Atkinson’s career seems to be on the downswing after a rough year with the Flyers – but his deal in Tampa Bay is certainly low-risk, high-reward. For less than $1MM, the Lightning have added a veteran forward and tremendous goal-scorer. Atkinson could be set for a prime role in the team’s middle-six, where linemates like Brandon Hagel or Anthony Cirelli could help bring his game to the heights it was sat at. That will certainly be what Tampa Bay hopes for, as they look to make up for the absence of franchise legend Steven Stamkos with the additions of Jake Guentzel and Atkinson.
Interesting… I’m thinking TB’s window isn’t closed yet, & grabbing a valuable role player like this gives them a better chance to hang longer with their state rivals…
He could be the surprise signing of the off season. Probably will play with Hagel and Cirelli.
i see him contributing on the 3rd line to help take some scoring pressure off of Paul , I still think JBB signs or trades for a 2nd line guy here within the coming days. he’s worth a shot at 900k, good signing.
Atkinson is a low-risk, high reward. He’s a solid middle six talent & could play on Cirelli’s line or Paul’s line. It’s hard to say right now as I’m sure GM Julien BriseBois has more things to come but this is a solid signing overall.
Furthermore, I feel one or two of their young blue-chip prospects in Conor Geekie &/or Ethan Gauthier make the main roster this year which could decide some things as both have top six level talent.
He’s so inconsistent but with good line mates he might be productive. But he’s no steal. Plus he misses most of his games with injuries.
Having been a one time goal scorer doesn’t make a person a “tremendous” goal scorer now. If that kind of pedigree was all that was needed, the Lightning ought to sign Phil Esposito and Dave Andreychuk to contracts — at least those guys were once associated with the team. Atkinson’s been in decline for four years now, despite a large number of offensive zone starts, and his possession numbers are only league average now. He’s never been a physical presence, which makes bottom six scoring numbers pretty hollow.
I agree this is a low risk signing, but I’m thinking he’s going to spend time in Syracuse this year.