A buyout can come back to bite NHL teams, but the immediate cap relief from parting with a player who's holding the squad back could be well worth it. Cam Atkinson [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3NDc1OTI4ODc0MzYyMzEx/usatsi_22920646_168400847_lowres.jpg] Cam Atkinson The Philadelphia Flyers placed forward Cam Atkinson on unconditional waivers for the purposes of a buyout. Atkinson's seven-year contract had one year remaining with a $5.875-million cap hit. He will become a UFA instead and hit free agency. The new cap hit after the buyout is $2,358,333 in 2024-25 and $1,758,333 in 2025-26, according to PuckPedia [https://puckpedia.com/player/cam-atkinson/buyout?s=2024-2025]. That means the Flyers will save $3,516,667 next season. "When it comes to someone with the accomplishments and character of Cam, this was an exceptionally tough decision to make," Flyers GM Daniel Briere said in a news release. "Throughout his time with the Flyers, Cam has displayed an incredible work ethic and level of professionalism that is a true credit to him as a player and person. "I've witnessed firsthand the amount of effort, dedication, and perseverance he went through during an incredibly tough rehabilitation process in order to come back and be a leader for our team on and off the ice." Atkinson missed the entire 2022-23 season because of a neck injury, but he came back to play 70 games in 2023-24, recording 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points. The 35-year-old from Riverside, Conn., has played 770 regular-season games throughout 12 NHL seasons between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Flyers, with 249 goals, 231 assists and 480 points. He also has 10 goals and 26 points in 35 playoff games, all with Columbus. For more reaction, visit The Hockey News' Philadelphia Flyers site. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/breaking-flyers-to-buy-out-cam-atkinson] Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..].
