This photo was taken by Jamey Baskow via a Flyers Zoom call
Cam Atkinson is a finisher the Flyers have lacked for some time. I think some people forget he potted 35 goals back in 2016-17 and 41 goals in 2018-19. He possesses a shoot first mentality which the Flyers could use, and also has “Elite” penalty killing skills:
“Cam Atkinson is what we call a hockey player, and he just loves to play the game of hockey. Tremendous energy. You probably heard that in his press conference today. He’s a player that really can contribute every which way. I think he’s been one of the better five-on-five goal scorers in the league over seven, eight years. He drives play. He’s an elite penalty killer. I think he’s second to Brad Marchand in shorthanded goals going back to 2014. He’s been a really good scorer during the playoffs. There’s really not much he can’t do. For a guy that isn’t that tall, he’s tenacious.” – Chuck Fletcher
Atkinson has tallied 12 short-handed goals dating back to the 2016-17 season, while Kevin Hayes has tallied 11 short-handed goals dating back to the 2016-17 season. The Flyers should not only have a successful penalty killing unit this coming season, but they should be a threat again while short-handed, “I couldn’t be more excited to join the Flyers organization,” Cam Atkinson said. “I personally think I’m going to fit in very well. Know a couple guys on the team already. Special teams, I think I’ll help out as well, especially with PK. I think I fit the mold pretty well. I’m super excited.”
The Flyers needed a breath of fresh air, new leadership, and players that can get the job done with special teams. Fletcher said at his exit interviews that he would also try to improve the power play and penalty killing units this offseason, well he has done that. Now it’s time for the team to prove it, as their rebound or revenge season depends on it, “You can see with Chuck Fletcher and the rest of management, what they’re trying to do and bringing in certain guys, Ellis coming in and Ristolainen and other players,” Atkinson said. “I think there’s been a lot of guys on that team that have been around for some time, and sometimes a change is best for an organization. I think my energy alone is really going to help the team. I played at BC with Kevin Hayes. I am good friends with JvR and know obviously Giroux as well. One of my best friends is Scotty Hartnell. He just rants and raves about what a special place Philly is. As you can see already got my Gritty shirt, so I’m ready to rock and roll.”
Atkinson continued, “I take a lot of pride in how I PK and aggressiveness, anticipation, and my energy. I think that whoever AV puts me with, we’re going to have success. I’ve been around a long time. Especially playing under a guy like Torts, I’ve learned a lot, how to prepare and how to play this game the right way.”
It’s crazy to believe that Atkinson, who has yet to play one game for the Flyers, is a fan favorite. However, that’s exactly what has transpired in a few months since joining the team.
The Flyers have lacked a scoring winger that can put the puck in the back of the net to pair with Claude Giroux since Scott Hartnell and Jaromir Jagr. Atkinson can easily pair well with any mix of the Flyers lineup, and complete any task that Head Coach Alain Vigneault asks of him, “We can talk about the Flyers and how they’re making a lot of changes as well. It seems like they’re making the changes to bring in veteran presence, leaders, older leaders that know how to play and play the right way. I think that’s important for an organization to bring guys that all buy into how they all know how to play.”
“You can just see how passionate the fans are, not just with hockey but all the other professional sports around, even collegiate sports. I think winning solves a lot of problems. It seems like you don’t want to get on the wrong side of the Flyers fans. As a player, there’s nothing more exciting than when things are going really well, and the fans are have your back. They’re passionate. They want to win just as much as the players do. That’s all you can ask for as a player.” – Cam Atkinson
