The Philadelphia Flyers made a surprising announcement on Friday, revealing that they have decided to buy out the remainder of veteran forward Cam Atkinson’s contract. Atkinson, who is 35 years old, had a solid season with the Flyers in 2023-24, tallying 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 70 games.
The decision to buy out Atkinson’s contract was not an easy one for Flyers general manager Daniel Briere. In a statement, Briere praised Atkinson’s work ethic, professionalism, and leadership both on and off the ice. He acknowledged the tough rehabilitation process that Atkinson went through and commended him for his dedication and perseverance.
Cam Atkinson was originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the sixth round of the 2008 NHL Draft. He spent ten seasons with the Blue Jackets before being traded to the Flyers in July 2021 in exchange for forward Jakub Voracek. Throughout his career, Atkinson has recorded 480 points (249 goals, 231 assists) in 770 games with Columbus and Philadelphia. He has also made an impact in the playoffs, notching 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 35 postseason appearances.
Atkinson’s contract buyout comes with one year remaining on his seven-year, $41.125 million deal that he signed with the Blue Jackets in 2017. He was set to earn $5.875 million in the 2024-25 season before the buyout was announced.
While it may be the end of Atkinson’s time with the Flyers, his contributions to the team and the league as a whole will not be forgotten. As he looks ahead to the next chapter of his career, Atkinson can take pride in the impact he has made both on and off the ice.
