Atkinson provided an assist and four hits in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Atkinson ended a 10-game slump with the helper on a Mitchell Chaffee goal in the second period. Gage Goncalves was waived Monday, and Atkinson has played in a bottom-six role in four straight contests. The Lightning are carrying just 12 forwards for now, and Atkinson's spot in the lineup is likely to be secure as long as that's the case. He has produced just six points with 32 shots on net, 14 hits and a minus-4 rating over 27 appearances this season.

Atkinson played for the fifth time in six games in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

Short-term injuries to forwards have afforded Atkinson a little more playing time, but the Lightning are currently healthy up front. Atkinson played with Gage Goncalves sitting out, but it's possible this was a decision by head coach Jon Cooper to get a player some rest in the first half of a back-to-back. Atkinson has played in 22 of 36 contests this season, racking up a meager five points with 26 shots on net and a minus-4 rating while often featuring in a fourth-line role.

Atkinson had a goal and an assist in an 8-1 win over the Sharks on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

It was his first two-point game of the season. Atkinson has just five points, including three goals, in 16 games this season. His average ice time has dropped to 10:01 this season, down from last season's 15:57 and 18:15 the year before. At 35, Atkinson is on the downside of a long career. But he seems to be warming up lately, delivering three goals and one assist in his last five games.

Atkinson scored a power-play goal on five shots in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

The Lightning are down three wingers, as Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed) joined Mitchell Chaffee (undisclosed) and Nick Paul (undisclosed) in the trainer's room Saturday. Head coach Jon Cooper had no choice but to play Atkinson, who was in the lineup for the fourth time in nine games Saturday. Atkinson has scored twice in that span, and he now has three points, 20 shots on net and a minus-7 rating over 15 appearances this season. He isn't receiving enough playing time to be considered in fantasy at this time.

Atkinson scored his first goal of the season in a 7-6 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

He redirected a Victor Hedman shot past Elvis Merzlikins to put the Bolts up 3-0 at 11:52 of the first period. Atkinson had put up an assist against Vegas on Oct. 17, but hadn't contributed any scoring until Thursday. Overall, he has seen ice in just 12 games, and with a goal and assist overall, Atkinson is best left on the wire.

Atkinson notched an assist in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Golden Knights.

EDGE Analysis

Atkinson was a healthy scratch versus the Canucks on Tuesday before drawing back into the lineup in a bottom-six role Thursday. The 35-year-old winger appears to be competing with Conor Sheary for one spot in the lineup currently. Atkinson's helper was his first point in two appearances, and he's added two shots on net. He's not a physical player and probably won't feature on the power play, so he has limited fantasy upside at this stage of his career.

Atkinson signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

After missing the entirety of the 2022-23 season due to injuries, Atkinson generated 13 goals and 28 points in 70 regular-season contests with the Flyers in 2023-24. Philadelphia bought Atkinson out of the final campaign of his seven-year, $41.125 million contract in June. However, he has some bounce-back upside as a middle-six forward option for the Lightning. He could also receive a role on the second power-play unit.

Atkinson was placed on unconditional waivers for the purposes of buying out his contract Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old winger has one year remaining on a seven-year contract. The Flyers will save $3.517 million this season and add $1.758 million in 2025-26 to their salary cap. Atkinson struggled in 2023-24, scoring only 13 goals and adding 15 assists in 70 regular-season appearances.

Atkinson will be back in the lineup in Boston on Saturday, per Bill Meltzer of NHL.com.

EDGE Analysis

After being a healthy scratch for the last two games, Atkinson will replace Bobby Brink in the lineup . The 34-year-old Atkinson hasn't picked up a point in his past 15 outings, managing only 22 shots on goal during that span. The former 41-goal scorer has only 13 tallies and 15 assists in 62 appearances this season.

Atkinson scored an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

Both points came in the second period as the Flyers tried in vain to mount a comeback from an early 3-0 deficit. Atkinson extended his point streak to six games in the process, a stretch during which the 34-year-old winger has produced five goals and 10 points. That surge snapped a 26-game goal drought, however, and on the season Atkinson has just 13 goals and 28 points in 47 contests. While his current form makes him worth a roster spot in almost any fantasy format, he should be viewed as a short-term plug-in and not a long-term roster solution.