Insider links Flyers forward Cam Atkinson to Western Conference team

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Cooper Godin
June 19, 2024 (10:22 PM)

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An insider has linked Philadelphia Flyers veteran forward Cam Atkinson to a Western Conference team.

The Philadelphia Flyers surprised a lot of people this year and were only four points back of the Washington Capitals final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. Next season, the Flyers are looking to take an even bigger step and punch a ticket to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, but will need to make some additions and changes to their roster in the coming months.

One of those changes could come by moving on from veteran forward Cam Atkinson, who has been with the Philadelphia Flyers for the last two seasons after spending the previous ten in Columbus.

In a post on X on Tuesday morning, TSN insider Darren Dreger revealed that the Philadelphia Flyers continue to look at trade options for Cam Atkinson, but buying out his contract also remains an option.

Dreger added that the San Jose Sharks are one team that has interest in trading for Cam Atkinson, but sources have told him that the 35-year-old isn't interested in joining the Northern California club.

"The Flyers continue to explore options around veteran Cam Atkinson. SJ has trade interest, but sources say Atkinson isn't keen on a move to the Sharks. Philly will eat a good chunk of the final year of his contract. Buyout is also an option, as is keeping him in the mix." Dreger said.

Atkinson, a native of Riverside, Connecticut has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5.875 million and a modified no-trade clause, that includes a ten-team no-trade list. If the Flyers were to buy out his contract in the coming days, it would cost them $2,358,334 against the cap in year 1, a savings of $3,516,666. Meanwhile in year 2, his cap hit would only be $1,758,334.

In 70 games for the Flyers this season, Atkinson put up 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists), 27 penalty minutes and was a minus-22.

The San Jose Sharks are one team that can absorb his entire cap hit next season, which would likely fetch them an additional asset from the Flyers as well, so it's not too surprising to see them among the teams interested. San Jose currently has $36.3 million available in cap space this summer with the most notable name needing to be re-signed being Thomas Bordeleau.