Mitchell Chaffee is battling an undisclosed ailment and will not play on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, allowing Atkinson to re-enter the lineup. The 35-year-old Atkinson is averaging 9:37 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games this season.
Atkinson will make his first appearance since November 7th when the Lightning travel to Columbus on Thursday. He is yet to score a goal this season and has just one assist in 11 games.
Defenseman Darren Raddysh will draw into the Tampa Bay Lineup on Thursday, replacing Atkinson, an indication that they will likely go with an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation. The 35-year-old Atkinson, a 41-goal scorer in the 2018-19 season, has one point (0G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in his first season with Tampa Bay.
Atkinson will presumably be a healthy scratch on Tuesday as the Lightning are opting to get some fresh bodies into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Atkinson has no goals and one assist in three games this season.
Atkinson has been held out of three of Tampa Bay's first five games but will likely return to the lineup on Monday as Conor Sheary is expected to be a healthy scratch. In two games, Atkinson has one point (0G / 1A) while averaging less than nine minutes of playing time.
Conor Sheary will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Atkinson to re-enter the lineup against the Vegas Golden Knights. Atkinson, the former 40-goal scorer, had 28 points (13G / 15A) and a -22 plus/minus, the worst of his career, in 70 games with the Philadelphia Flyers last season.
Atkinson will draw out of the lineup to make room for the return of Michael Eyssimont (lower-body). Atkinson was a -1 in Friday's season opener, playing just 8:42 and registering one shot on goal.
Atkinson had a strong first season in Philadelphia but missed all of 2023 and struggled with 2024, scoring just 13 goals and 15 assists (28 points) in 70 games. At age-35, Atkinson's days of 30-plus goals are over, but he should provide the Lightning's bottom-6 and PP2 with some offensive punch.
Atkinson was about to enter the seventh year of of seven-year, $41.25 million ($5,875,000 AAV) but has been bought out by Philadelphia and will enter free agency come July 1st. The 35-year-old winger had a down year in 2023-24, with his 13 goals, 28 points, 175 SOG and -22 plus/minus through 70 games played.
Atkinson was a healthy scratch for Philadelphia's previous game but will draw back in on Thursday as Olle Lycksell is a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old is having his least productive season since 2012-13, with his 13 goals, 15 assists, 174 SOG, 25 PIMs and -22 plus/minus through 67 games played this year.
With the return of Sean Couturier (upper body), Cam Atkinson will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday in Montreal. The 34-year-old is having his worst offensive season in three years with his 13 goals, 28 points, 174 SOG and -22 plus/minus through 67 games played.
Atkinson and Nicolas Deslauriers are drawing back into the lineup for the Flyers on Monday, as Bobby Brink and Denis Gurianov will be healthy scratches. Atkinson has only played one of the last seven games and zero points in his last 17.
Atkinson joins a group of notable veteran healthy scratches for the Flyers, including Sean Couturier and Marc Staal. Atkinson has been held without a point in 16 straight games.
Atkinson has been held without a point in 15 consecutive contests and will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. Dennis Gurianov is expected to make his Flyers debut in Atkinson's absence.
