REPORT: Flyers Interested In Trading Atkinson To San Jose
Philadelphia Flyers forward Cam Atkinson has been the subject of plenty of discussions surrounding a potential buyout of his contract, and the San Jose Sharks appear to be open to taking him.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports - REPORT: Flyers Interested In Trading Atkinson To San JosePhiladelphia Flyers forward Cam Atkinson has been the subject of plenty of discussions surrounding a potential buyout of his contract, and the San Jose Sharks appear to be open to taking him.
In Atkinson's exit interview and Flyers GM Danny Briere's end-of-season press conference, there was no confirmation from either party on what exactly the organization planned to do with Atkinson's current contract.
"I have one more year on my contract," Atkinson back in April. "I I know the player I am and how I am and what's made the player I am today and what's gotten me to this level. I still feel like I have a lot of juice left in the tank for the right situation...I control what I can control."
Briere spoke generally about the Flyers' trade plans heading into the offseason, admitting that doing business won't be easy, and that the plan remains for the team to find success through the draft and the young players already in the system.
"I mean, it's extremely tough to do," he said. "We're gonna be looking for it, and we're gonna have discussions with different teams. The bulk of it still needs to be done through our young guys, mostly through the draft. I still believe with the pick that you mentioned, that we can get a very talented player. Outside of that, it's tough when teams have talented players, they don't want to trade them away."
While TSN's Darren Dreger reported that while San Jose is has shown interest, Atkinson himself "isn't keen" on heading to the west coast. He also reported that the Flyers are willing to "eat a good chunk" of the final year on Atkinson's deal, while stating that a buyout or having Atkinson stay in Philadelphia are still options on the table.
There hasn't been any official comment from the Flyers, the Sharks, or Atkinson's camp, but this report has reinforced the speculation that the Flyers are still looking for avenues to offload the veteran forward as they continue making their vision of a new, younger Philadelphia team a reality.
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