Blue Jackets sign Atkinson to 3-year extension worth reported $10.5M

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The Columbus Blue Jackets ripped a prime trade candidate off the board minutes before Monday's deadline.

Forward Cam Atkinson signed a three-year contract extension, the club has announced. The deal carries an average annual valuation of $3.5 million, according to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Post Dispatch.

Atkinson, set to become a restricted free agent at season's end, was believed to have been on the trading block due to an apparent impasse in contract negotiation.

With the new deal, the 25-year-old will remain with the club through to the end of the 2017-18 regular season.

In 199 career games, Atkinson has 50 goals and 47 assists.