After witnessing Nikita Kucherov carry the Tampa Bay Lightning on his again final season, the entrance workplace made a valiant effort to enhance the underside six this summer time. Julien BriseBois signed Cam Atkinson to a one-year deal to mitigate the depth scoring. He’ll undoubtedly contribute offensively underneath Jon Cooper this season. With that stated, the place does he slide within the lineup?
At 35, many imagine his greatest days are behind him because of a riddling damage historical past. Nevertheless, after analyzing via a deeper analytical lens, Atkinson is the proper match for a third-line right-wing function this season. Moreover, he could make this contract a discount for BriseBois and the Lightning.
About Cam Atkinson
Drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets again in 2008, Atkinson was a steal on the 157th general decide. The Connecticut native would spend a decade in Columbus, even reaching the NHL All-Star Sport in 2019. Then, he joined the Philadelphia Flyers in alternate for the perennial passer Jakub Voracek. He spent three seasons in Philadelphia however missed the complete 2022-23 season with a neck damage.
Associated: Flyers Purchase Out the Final Yr of Cam Atkinson’s Contract
Atkinson fortunately got here again for the 2023-24 season with the Flyers however misplaced a step in his sport. After a tough season, Philadelphia purchased out of the ultimate 12 months of his seven-year, $41.3 million contract. He hit the free agent market as an unrestricted free agent, touchdown in Tampa Bay on a one-year take care of a cap hit of $900,000. Whereas Atkinson received’t rating 40 objectives like he did twice in his profession, he’ll spherical out the underside six and be an impactful participant this season.
Atkinson’s Play Model and Archetype
The Lightning added a high-volume shooter in Atkinson this summer time. Furthermore, he ranked tied for 97th in photographs amongst forwards in 2023-24. The 35-year-old finds delicate areas within the offensive zone for high-danger shot makes an attempt. The once-speedy ahead is great at creating house for himself in a scoring place. Plus, Atkinson can distribute the puck if the precise shot isn’t obtainable. Corey Sznajder from AllThreeZones ranked Atkinson within the 94th percentile of likelihood assists per 60 final season.
Whether or not producing off the cycle or the push, the veteran winger will discover success. Whereas Atkinson isn’t the first puck service when getting into the zone, his rush alternatives end in passing performs and scoring possibilities. Meghan Chayka at Stathletes discovered that rush alternatives following an offensive-zone cross are greater than two instances extra prone to end in a objective and 5 instances extra prone to face a non-set goaltender. His dual-threat play fashion makes him the proper third-line proper wing this season with two particular linemates.
Potential Linemates
Atkinson can do all of it offensively, which makes him the best linemate for Nick Paul and Michael Eyssimont this season. Paul supplies defensive help together with dimension and a goal-scoring contact. The 29-year-old posted a career-high 24 objectives final season in 82 video games performed. He prefers to dump the puck and retrieve on the forecheck however also can become involved within the rush if wanted.
On the left facet, Eyssimont is an up-and-coming workhorse. Nevertheless, he wants some fine-tuning to his sport. Eyssimont is a zone entry machine—the younger, speedy ahead drives broad and aimlessly shovels pucks on the web from low-danger areas. As well as, his passing sport wants to enhance considerably. With Atkinson on his line, Eyssimont can arrange passing performs to execute high-percentage performs on his zone entries.
Cheap Expectations for Atkinson
Whereas the microstats and shot quantity metrics sign hope, defensive woes and accidents spotlight considerations with signing Atkinson. Nevertheless, the contract is something however detrimental to the Lightning group this season. Underneath among the best head coaches within the NHL, anticipate him to have a strong season in Tampa Bay. Anyplace within the 30-40 level vary is affordable for the 35-year-old within the last levels of his skilled hockey profession. Finally, nobody ought to complain about this low-risk, high-reward signing.
