Atkinson, 32, spent all 10 years of his NHL career with the Blue Jackets after being taken in the sixth round of the 2008 draft.
Voracek, who turns 32 in August, began his career with Columbus, which drafted him seventh overall in 2007.
General manager Chuck Fletcher said he and Voracek discussed his future with the team, which included leaving him unprotected in the Seattle expansion draft.
“I can see a lot of paths where Jake would be a part of our team next year, and still a valuable, contributing member of our team.
While Voracek carries a significant cap hit of $8.25 million average annual value — more than Atkinson’s $5.875 million AAV — he has only three years left on his contract while Atkinson has four years remaining.
But in hindsight, with so many of his friends and the team’s veteran players having been traded in the past several months, Atkinson feels the Blue Jackets were headed in a different direction.