Atkinson was drafted in the sixth round by the Blue Jackets in 2008 and enjoyed the best of his 13 NHL seasons with the team, including a career-high 41-goal campaign in the 2018-19 season. Ending his career with shorter stints with the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning, the 36-year-old Atkinson ends his career with 489 points (253G / 236A) in 809 games.
Atkinson has spent the majority of the season with the Lightning, serving as a rotation player at the bottom of their roster. He did not appear in a game during his time with Syracuse, but has nine points (4G / 5A) in 38 games with the Lightning this year.
Atkinson has not played since March 13th but has been recalled from the Syracuse Crunch (AHL). The 35-year-old has been limited to only four games in the last six weeks despite scoring three points (1G / 2A) in those contests. In a corresponding move, Brandon Halverson was re-assigned to Syracuse.
Atkinson will slot in for Darren Raddysh, as the Lightning will return to dressing 12 forwards. Mitchell Chaffee will also slot in for Nikita Kucherov (illness).
Atkinson cleared waivers last week and reported to the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) but has not yet played a game with the club. The 35-year-old Atkinson has eight points (3G / 5A) in 37 games with the Lightning this season.
Atkinson has not played an AHL game since the 2012-13 season but finds himself reporting to the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) after clearing waivers on Wednesday. The 35-year-old Atkinson has eight points (3G / 5A) in 37 games with the Lightning this season.
Atkinson will slot in for Nick Perbix as the Lightning opt to dress just six defencemen. Atkinson has three goals and five assists in 36 games this season.
Tampa Bay will run an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, with Nick Perbix drawing into the lineup to replace Atkinson. The 35-year-old Atkinson is averaging 8:49 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 36 games this season.
Atkinson will fill in for Michael Eyssimont, who is a healthy scratch on Thursday. Atkinson has three goals and three assists in 30 games this season.
Atkinson has not played since December 10th but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 35-year-old has five points (3G / 2A) and is averaging 10:00 time-on-ice through 17 games this season.
