18-19 Most Valuable Forward
This might have been the toughest decision to make out of all of our prestigious Union and Blue midway MVP’s to hand out. The top line has three great candidates for the most valuable forward so far for the Jackets but the hardware goes to Cam Atkinson.
The winger is eight in the NHL in goal scoring with 24 in only 40 games played. Cam also has tacked on 18 assist for 42 points, second only behind his fellow top line winger Artemi Panarin. Cam’s two hat tricks this year have given him the franchise record for three goal games. And he has done all this with the Jackets owning the worst power play percentage in the NHL.
Cam had been consistent all year long and hasn’t suffered from the usual goalless game droughts that have always prevented him from reaching 40 goals. That number is certainly attainable this season and the real question is whether or not he will get to 45 or even 50 goals.
Cam is set to break Rick Nash‘s franchise mark of 41 goals in a year as well as even strength goals in a year. That mark, also held by Nash, is 29 goals. Atkinson currently has 19 even strength goals.
While Artemi Panarin is set to have a career year and Pierre-Luc Dubois has been a force, this choice was clear. Cam Atkinson has been the most valuable forward for the Jackets in the first half of the season.