The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled goaltender Brandon Halverson from the minor leagues. It is his first formal call-up with Tampa Bay, after signing a two-year, $1.6M contract with the club on Feb. 3. Halverson had spent the season on an AHL contract with the Syracuse Crunch prior to that deal. In a corresponding move, Tampa Bay has also reassigned veteran forward Cam Atkinson to the minor leagues. It is the second time that Atkinson has been assigned to the minor leagues this season.
Halverson’s recall represents little more than roster padding as the Lightning prepare for back-to-back road games against Utah and Vegas this weekend. The 28-year-old netminder will step in as Tampa Bay’s third string for the trip, operating behind Andrei Vasilievskiy and Jonas Johansson. Halverson earns the recognition after posting an impressive 16-9-8 record and .913 save percentage in 34 AHL games this season. The numbers are closely in line with his statline from last season, when he maintained a .913 through both 14 AHL games and 32 ECHL games in Tampa Bay’s system.
Halverson joined the Lightning organization on a minor-league contract before the 2023-24 campaign. Before that, he was a journeyman minor leaguer — working through depth-chart stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Arizona Coyotes and Dallas Stars. But Halverson spent the bulk of his pro career with the New York Rangers, who originally drafted him in the second-round of the 2014 NHL Draft. Halverson made his pro debut two seasons later and quickly carved out a habit of average play in the AHL and solid play in the ECHL. His biggest moment came in the 2017-18 season, when he made a 12-minute NHL debut in relief of Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist. Halverson allowed one goal on six shots. He was reassigned soon after that came, and returned to bouncing between second and third tier pros.
Atkinson, meanwhile, returns to the minors after playing just two games in the month of March. He scored one goal and played just 16 total minutes of ice time in those appearances. The point brings Atkinson up to three points in his last five NHL games, though that stretch dates as far back as Feb. 6. He’s become Tampa Bay’s extra forward, on the back of just nine points in 38 games this season. Atkinson did not play in any AHL games on his previous assignment. He’ll have one chance to play this weekend, with the Crunch set to host the Rochester Americans on Saturday. If he does, Atkinson will be playing in his first AHL game since the 2012-13 season. He scored 38 points in 33 AHL games that year.
Lightning Officially Demote Former 40-Goal Scorer to the AHL
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been playing well thus far in 2024/25, but in a shock move, they've demoted a former 40-goal scorer back to the AHL.
On the back of career years from several veteran players, the Tampa Bay Lightning are once again shaping up to be Stanley Cup contenders in a loaded Eastern Conference.
One player that they've been surprisingly reluctant to use however is veteran Cam Atkinson, who was placed on waivers by the team earlier this season, and now, the 35-year old is headed back to the American Hockey League.
In a move that brings goaltender Brandon Halverson to the NHL, the team have demoted Atkinson to the AHL after playing in 38 games with the team thus far in 2024/25.
In those 38 games, Atkinson has posted 4 goals and 9 points along with a -4 differential, so while he hasn't been at his best, it's still a surprise for the team to let go of such veteran depth at a crucial point this season.
Even without Atkinson however, this is one of the most loaded forward groups in the entire NHL, and with every line seemingly producing at a high level this season, there's just no room for him.
In previous years, Atkinson has consistently been a 20+ goal scorer, with his career high of 41 coming back in 2018/19 with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but for now, his NHL future hangs in the balance as he may not get the opportunity again to play with the Lightning this season.
We will see how things go from here, as the Lightning have plenty of depth up front, and if it the last we see of him in the NHL this year, it will be a story to watch this summer to see if Atkinson can find his way at the top level again.
