"It was a weight lifted off my shoulders," said Cam Atkinson to Blue Jackets radio play-by-play announcer Bob McElligott in a one-on-one interview when discussing his new contract.
In the eight-plus minute interview, they talk about how this changes him both as a player and as a member of the organization. The two discussed the process in which the contract got done and what was prioritized during the discussions.
"I was very aware of what was going on," Atkinson said. "There's been a good amount of talks since before the regular season. I obviously try to block it all out. That's what my agent is there for. He's got an obligation to let me know what has been presented."
What Atkinson ended up being presented was a seven-year contract worth a grand total of $41.125 million dollars. In the end, it all ended up coming down to the term in which they were able to negotiate.
"I wanted to be in Columbus for as long as I possibly could," Atkinson stated when asked about the importance of the length of the contract. "I tell everyone this that I started my career here and I obviously would love to end it here. So that was important to get as many years in Columbus as possible. We wanted an eight-year deal, they wanted a six then we met in the middle and just went from there."
Atkinson also understands that with such a large contract comes expectations and that they need to be met to satisfy all parties involved.
"They invest a lot of money in you, they expect the results, I love that. It allows me to just play my game and not worry about where I am going to be or what if's and I've gotta prove them right."
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