Flyers Acquire Cam Atkinson From Blue Jackets For Jakub Voracek

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Jakub Voracek era in Philadelphia is officially over. The Flyers on Saturday afternoon traded Voracek to the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Cam Atkinson in a one-for-one deal.

No salary was retained in the trade.

Atkinson joins the Flyers after 10 seasons with the Blue Jackets. The 32-year-old has 213 goals and 402 points over his career, including a 41-goal year in his last full season in 2018-19.

Last season, the winger scored 15 goals and 34 points in 59 games with Columbus. He was also tied for second in the league with four shorthanded goals.

Atkinson said he did not ask for a trade.

"I think that it couldn't have worked out any better, especially to Philly. Just hearing everyone, all my best buddies who have played there and a guy like Scotty Hartnell rant and rave about fans, the facilities, all the guys and the way of life, especially as a family," he said. "I have two young boys. You can see what they're trying to become as an organization, as a team. Making some trades and bringing in some really good players. At the end of the day, we want to win a Stanley Cup. I think Chuck Fletcher and the management crew are doing a really good job at putting all the pieces in place to do that."

A two-time All-Star, Atkinson has four seasons left on his contract at a $5.875 million cap hit.

Meanwhile, Voracek returns to Columbus, who drafted the winger in 2007. Voracek's time in Philadelphia ends after 10 seasons, in which he's compiled 427 assists and 604 points over 727 games. He added 27 points in 45 playoff games during his time with the Flyers.

The veteran Voracek's 427 assists and his 162 power-play assists rank fifth in Flyers history.

Voracek has three seasons left on his contract, carrying an $8.25 million cap hit.

The Flyers freed up about $2.4 million in cap space over the next three seasons.

According to CapFriendly, the Flyers currently have nearly $12.4 million in projected cap space.

Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher has been busy over the past seven days.

Last Saturday, Fletcher acquired defenseman Ryan Ellis from the Nashville Predators in a three-team trade, on Thursday, he moved Shayne Gostisbehere's salary to the Arizona Coyotes and on Friday, the GM acquired defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen from the Buffalo Sabres.

"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."

"It's great to bring in veteran presence and leaders. You look at those guys and a guy like Ellis and even Ristolainen, they're both really good defensemen," Atkinson added. "They both have really good shots on the power play as well. You can never have enough veteran guys and leaders in one room. Collectively, I think it's going to be really important for this organization. I expect to step in and help out any way I can as a leader."

Shortly after announcing the Voracek for Atkinson trade, the Flyers drafted Samu Tuomaala with their first pick in the 2021 NHL draft, 46th overall.

Free agency begins on July 28.

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