The Tampa Bay Lightning announced that they’ve signed veteran ahead Cam Atkinson to a one-year, $900K contract on Tuesday. Atkinson was bought out of the final year of his cope with the Philadelphia Flyers forward of free company, leaving him open to signal with any membership.
Tampa Bay continues its streak of eye-raising signings by inking one of many market’s oldest names. Atkinson, 35, struggled to carry onto his groove with the Flyers final season, managing simply 28 factors in 70 video games and incomes a number of wholesome scratches within the second half of the 12 months. It was a far fall for the acclaimed NHL veteran, particularly contemplating he posted 23 targets and 50 factors in 73 video games in 2022-23.
However regardless of current struggles, Atkinson might be remembered for his years of success with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Atkinson served a distinguished top-line position for the Blue Jackets all through a lot of the 2010s, routinely difficult the 50- or 60-point mark, on the again of constant 20-goal scoring. He had a profession 12 months in 2016-17, when he managed 35 targets and 62 factors in 82 video games, solely to comply with it up with 41 targets and 69 factors in 80 video games two years later.
Atkinson’s profession appears to be on the downswing after a tough 12 months with the Flyers, however his deal in Tampa Bay is definitely low-risk, high-reward. For lower than $1M, the Lightning have added a veteran ahead and large goal-scorer. Atkinson could possibly be set for a chief position within the group’s middle-six, the place linemates like Brandon Hagel or Anthony Cirelli might assist carry his recreation to the heights it was at. That may definitely be what Tampa Bay hopes for, as they give the impression of being to make up for the absence of franchise legend Steven Stamkos with the additions of Jake Guentzel and Atkinson.