The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed Cam Atkinson to a one-year contract for $900K.
Atkinson, who was recently bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers, is now joining Tampa Bay. Last season with the Flyers, he had a tough time, scoring only 28 points in 70 games and often being left out of the lineup. This was a big drop from his previous performance where he had 23 goals and 50 points in 73 games during the 2022-23 season.
Despite his recent struggles, Atkinson has had many successful years with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was a key player for them in the 2010s, regularly scoring around 20 goals each season and often reaching 50 or 60 points. His best seasons were in 2016-17 with 35 goals and 62 points in 82 games and two years later with an impressive tally of 41 goals and 69 points in just 80 games.
Atkinson’s New Role:
Now at age 35, Atkinson’s career seems to be winding down after his difficult year with the Flyers. However, this new deal with Tampa Bay is low-risk but could bring high rewards. For under $1M, they’ve secured an experienced forward known for his goal-scoring ability. Fans might think this signing is a smart move by Tampa Bay.
In Tampa Bay, Atkinson might play a significant role on their middle lines alongside players like Brandon Hagel or Anthony Cirelli. The team hopes these new linemates will help him regain his top form as they aim to fill the gap left by franchise legend Steven Stamkos along with Jake Guentzel’s addition.
What do you think about Atkinson joining Tampa Bay?
