Flyers trade Jake Voracek to Columbus for Cam Atkinson in another blockbuster trade

The Philadelphia Flyers and the Columbus Blue Jackets pulled off a blockbuster trade on the second day of the NHL Draft.

Since last weekend, the NHL has not been short on trades. From the Philadelphia Flyers landing defenseman Ryan Ellis from the Nashville Predators to the Chicago Blackhawks acquiring defenseman Seth Jones from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Speaking of the Flyers and Blue Jackets, the two pulled off a trade, which just so happened to drop in the middle of the second day of the 2021 NHL Draft.

On Saturday, the Blue Jackets acquired winger Jakub Voracek from the Flyers in exchange for winger Cam Atkinson in a one-for-one deal. Atkinson figures to line up on the right wing of the Flyers’ top line with Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux.

Flyers trade Jakub Voracek to Blue Jackets for Cam Atkinson

This is not the first time Voraceck will play for the Blue Jackets, as he was drafted by the organization with the seventh-overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft. He spent a grand total of three seasons with the Blue Jackets, where he tallied 39 goals and 95 assists in 241 games.

In 2011, Voracek was traded to the Flyers, where he experienced great success. Through 10 seasons in Philadelphia, Voracek scored 177 goals and dished out 427 assists in 727 games played. This past season, the winger recorded nine goals and 34 assists in 53 games.

Atkinson spent all 10 of his seasons with the Blue Jackets after being selected as a sixth-round draft pick back in 2008.  In 627 games played, Atkinson scored 213 goals and recorded 189 assists. Atkinson tallied 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists) through 56 games played this past season.

Both teams were among the most active this offseason, especially on the trade market, so it should come as no surprise that they both completed a deal to flip wingers. Only time will tell to determine who “wins” the trade.

The Flyers traded for Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen earlier this week as they continue to overhaul the roster in hopes of returning to the playoffs.