As 29-year-old Cam Atkinson about to become the greatest Columbus Blue Jacket of all time? His career numbers would suggest it’s only a matter of when, not if.
Atkinson’s already ahead of franchise icon Rick Nash in a couple key offensive categories and most likely will pass him in most others before his career is over. Not bad for a 5-foot-8 kid out of Riverside, Conn.
This season he’s on pace for the best output of his career, amassing 27 goals in his first 45 games. There is some symmetry to his most recent goal totals. Last year, a broken foot limited him to just 65 games. When he came back from the injury, he finished with a flourish, posting 19 goals in his last 26 games.
How did he start this season? With 19 goals in his first 26 games.
The career accomplishments are eye-catching. As of Jan. 16, Atkinson had played in 492 games for the Blue Jackets, compared to 674 for Nash. That said, Atkinson already has six career hat tricks for Columbus, compared to five for Nash. Atkinson’s 172 goals, 321 points, 10 shorthanded goals and 35 game-winning goals trail only Nash’s 289 goals, 547 points, 14 shorthanded goals and 44 game-winning goals.
Another stat stands out: Atkinson is the Blue Jackets’ all-time plus-minus leader at plus-39. Nash is not in the top 10, although to be fair, Atkinson is playing for a much better team than the ones Nash played for when the Columbus franchise was just getting started.
Atkinson says these achievements will mean something to him someday, but not right now. He’s got other things on his mind. “I think it’s too early to think about that,’’ he said during a visit to Philadelphia last month. “I still have a lot more years to play. Hopefully more years after that. With this club, especially.
“It’s cool to see your name up there. But that’s not my goal, that’s not my mindset right now. I’m trying to win a Stanley Cup. Once I get closer to the end of my career, I’ll start thinking about that sort of thing.’’
The line of Atkinson, Artemi Panarin and Pierre-Luc Dubois had helped Columbus shoot up to the top of the Metropolitan Division heading into the second half of the season. Atkinson was scoring practically on a nightly basis and was in a tie with Chicago’s Patrick Kane and Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau for seventh in NHL goals midway through January.
A greater emphasis on practice habits has been a key to success, according to Atkinson. “It’s amazing,’’ he said. “When you practice hard, practice like it’s a game-like situation, or it’s like you’re trying to score every time, that’s how it translates into a real game.
“Games are meant to be fun. I think if you practice hard, it kind of allows you to relax and play free.’’
Staying upbeat has played a role, too. “Yeah, I think I have a lot of positive thoughts,’’ Atkinson said. “I try to stay positive. So when things are going well, I just kind of think about the things that have made me successful. And luckily, pucks are going in for me.’’
Whenever a player enjoys an uptick in his game, inquiring minds want to know if anything has changed from previous years. Like maybe a different workout regimen in the offseason? “No, it’s not like I focus on one thing in the summer or I have to do this differently,’’ he said. “I train the same way. Maybe just shooting to score more in practice. But I’ve done that in the past. I think I’m just playing free. Not a care in the world.’’
Getting back to those career stats, Atkinson also is closing in on the top ranking for Columbus goals-per-game percentage. Nash is first at 0.43. Atkinson is second at 0.35.
Atkinson was asked what he thinks his high end can be. After all, he’s not even 30 yet and could be just entering his prime years. Would 40 goals be out of the question?
“I think when you have good linemates and the chemistry is good, that’s when you get a lot of opportunities,’’ he said. “I’m just burying more opportunities.
“I think there’s a lot more to give. I still think I haven’t even cracked open the seal there. It’s nice that things are going my way a little bit more than in the past. I just have to continue and keep it going.’’
The broken foot was a setback last season, but he didn’t let it get him down. That was key to last year’s strong finish and this year’s promising start. “As soon as I came off my broken foot, in Arizona, I had a game-winning goal with two minutes left,’’ he recalled. “That kind of gave me the right thoughts, a positive mindset. And just ever since then I’ve been playing the right way.’’
At this rate, he’s going to be zooming past Nash before you know it.
Atkinson grinned when a reporter asked him if he ever thinks about becoming THE franchise player someday when he puts Rick Nash in his rearview mirror.
“Yeah,’’ he chuckled. “Rick who?’’
