Atkinson milestone highlights Blue Jackets' hunger for success

Cam Atkinson is having a fine season, and he's jumping up the Columbus Blue Jackets' all-time scoring list as a result.

With an assist during Friday's game against the Montreal Canadiens, Atkinson joined rather exclusive company in the annals of franchise history.

.@CamAtkinson13 also picked up 200th career point w/ assist (101-99-200). He becomes the 4th player in #CBJ history to record 200 points.

- CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) December 24, 2016

Atkinson, then, ranks fourth in points by a Blue Jacket, behind only Rick Nash (547), David Vyborny (317), and R.J. Umberger (250).

Those modest numbers help to put the team's success so far this season in perspective, and point to how hungry the city is for a winner after 16 years of existence.

Over that time, the team has qualified for the playoffs only twice, and boasted three individual award winners:

• Nash: Maurice Richard Trophy, 2003-04
• Steve Mason: Calder Trophy, 2008-09
• Sergei Bobrovsky: Vezina Trophy, 2012-13

It's no wonder, then, that the team is drawing record television numbers in a season where Columbus sits at the top of the NHL standings.

Captain Nick Foligno will soon join Atkinson in the 200-point club, by the way. Two assists early in Friday's game put him at 194.

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