The Columbus Blue Jackets made a blockbuster trade with Nashville yesterday, but that doesn’t mean they’re done making moves.
According to beat reporter Aaron Portzline, the New York Rangers are attempting to acquire forward Cam Atkinson from the Jackets.
Hearing rumblings that #NYR have called, yet again, regarding #CBJ RW Cam Atkinson, who has quickly become a favorite of John Tortorella.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 7, 2016
Would Columbus be willing to ship one of their young veterans to a division rival?
Atkinson doesn’t have as much value as Johansen did, but he’s become one of coach John Tortorella’s go-to guys.
“I didn’t even know who he was when I got here,” Tortorella said of Atkinson, per the Dispatch. “But since I’ve been here, he’s probably been — with (Scott) Hartnell and (Matt) Calvert — one of the most consistent forwards we’ve had. I’ve used him in all areas because he’s that good … away from the puck, defensively, killing penalties, he runs the point on our 5-on-3 power play … there’s a lot there.”
The 26-year-old has scored seven points in his last eight contests and he’s currently on pace to hit the 50-point mark for the first time in his career.
Not bad for a guy Torts didn’t even know three months ago.
Atkinson is in the first year of a three-year contract he signed last March. He comes with a cap hit of $3.5 million.