Atkinson has not played an AHL game since the 2012-13 season but finds himself reporting to the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) after clearing waivers on Wednesday. The 35-year-old Atkinson has eight points (3G / 5A) in 37 games with the Lightning this season.
Atkinson will slot in for Nick Perbix as the Lightning opt to dress just six defencemen. Atkinson has three goals and five assists in 36 games this season.
Tampa Bay will run an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, with Nick Perbix drawing into the lineup to replace Atkinson. The 35-year-old Atkinson is averaging 8:49 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 36 games this season.
Atkinson will fill in for Michael Eyssimont, who is a healthy scratch on Thursday. Atkinson has three goals and three assists in 30 games this season.
Atkinson has not played since December 10th but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 35-year-old has five points (3G / 2A) and is averaging 10:00 time-on-ice through 17 games this season.
Atkinson will take a seat on Thursday to make way for the return of Anthony Cirelli (upper-body). Atkinson has three goals and two assists in 17 games this season.
Mitchell Chaffee is battling an undisclosed ailment and will not play on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, allowing Atkinson to re-enter the lineup. The 35-year-old Atkinson is averaging 9:37 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games this season.
Atkinson will make his first appearance since November 7th when the Lightning travel to Columbus on Thursday. He is yet to score a goal this season and has just one assist in 11 games.
Defenseman Darren Raddysh will draw into the Tampa Bay Lineup on Thursday, replacing Atkinson, an indication that they will likely go with an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation. The 35-year-old Atkinson, a 41-goal scorer in the 2018-19 season, has one point (0G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in his first season with Tampa Bay.
Atkinson will presumably be a healthy scratch on Tuesday as the Lightning are opting to get some fresh bodies into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Atkinson has no goals and one assist in three games this season.
Atkinson has been held out of three of Tampa Bay's first five games but will likely return to the lineup on Monday as Conor Sheary is expected to be a healthy scratch. In two games, Atkinson has one point (0G / 1A) while averaging less than nine minutes of playing time.
