Columbus Acquires RJ Umberger From Philadelphia for Picks

[Cat Smasher]

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired center R.J. Umberger and a fourth round pick (118th overall) in the 2008 Entry Draft from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a first round pick (19th overall) and a third round pick (67th overall) in the 2008 Entry Draft, club General Manager Scott Howson announced tonight.

Umberger, 26, is a three-year NHL veteran who has appeared in 228 career games, registering 49 goals and 67 assists for 116 points with 78 penalty minutes with the Flyers. He collected 13-37-50 with 19 penalty minutes in 74 games in 2007-08, setting career highs in assists and points. He added 11-5-16 and 12 penalty minutes in 22 playoff games, helping the Flyers reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

“R.J. is a competitive, versatile player and we expect him to be a part of our top six forwards next season,” said Howson. “He can play center and he can play wing and we’re very excited to have him.”

Vancouver’s first pick, 16th overall, in the 2001 Entry Draft, Umberger tallied 58-71-129 and 65 penalty minutes in 112 games spanning three seasons at Ohio State. During his freshman season in 2000-01, he registered 14-23-37 with 18 penalty minutes in 32 games en route to being named the CCHA Rookie of the Year. He netted a career-high 26-27-53 with 16 penalty minutes in 43 games in 2002-03 to earn CCHA First All-Star Team and NCAA West Second All-American Team honors.

[Phila26Flyers]

It was obvious after Carter was signed RJ was going to be the odd man out. Good luck to him in Columbus. His services were appreciated in Philly throughout his four years and he will be a great second line player for many seasons to come.

[peacemaker]

With his strong playoff, I would have thought a big, 2 way guy like him would command more than a late 1st rounder...

Anyone picking 19th overall would be pretty darned happy to have the player turn out as good as Umberger, no?

[Snipes19]

I don't think this was a good trade for Columbus, but it was a good one for Philly.

Columbus gives up the 19th overall pick and a 3rd-rounder for Umberger and a 4th? Bad move.

Ok, so they go from a 3rd-rounder to 4th-rounder - which is definitely a down-grade (we can all agree on that), and then it's basically their 19th overall for Umberger. I think that's a downgrade too. Umberger is a decent 20-goal, 2nd-line player, but not worth a top 20 first-round pick, IMO. I just don't think Umberger is THAT good.

So Columbus loses here. Philly upgrades.

Philly goes from a 4th to a 3rd and gets a first-rounder while dumping Umberger's salary. Pretty good move on their part.

[Clutchngrab]

I agree. I watched many Phili games during the year where he didn't show up

[jayc948]

I wasn't very confident the Flyers were going to be able to sign him anyway. He was too streaky a player to be awarded big money just yet, but of course his attitude wouldn't allow that. At least we got something for him.

[fiveforfighting]

As a Penguins fan, I'm not at all sorry to see him go to the other conference. He was just killing us on the scoreboard. Goodluck to him, hometown guy and all.

[bupz91]

good luck to umberger, hopefully that pick is put to good use.

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

Columbus has to make a playoff splash now, not 5-6 years down the road. Umberger will help them with that whereas the 19th pick will not. Umberger will get more ice time and responsibility in Columbus then he would be getting in Philly. Flyers need to clear cashflow to afford Jeff Carter, so this works well for them as well. Good deal for both times.

[AVALANCHE FAN]

As long as he isnt one of those guys who is always out on IR he should he good to go.

[lampington]

basically RJ for Luca Sbisa...

good luck RJ. thanks for the hard work.

[headhunter55]

Originally Posted by jayc948

I wasn't very confident the Flyers were going to be able to sign him anyway. He was too streaky a player to be awarded big money just yet, but of course his attitude wouldn't allow that. At least we got something for him.

Wow, I would go as far as to say great trade for the Flyers. #19 overall and a third for a guy that played 5 great plyaoff games, but did little else all year and chewed on the mouthpiece too much.

But thats the risk of hockey, in 5 years #19 can be stuck in the ECHL and Umby could be a 30G 40A guy for chubby.

[headhunter55]

Originally Posted by lampington

basically RJ for Luca Sbisa...

good luck RJ. thanks for the hard work.

Lamp I cant find this draft or any results, not even on Philliy's site?

[Snipes19]

Originally Posted by headhunter55

Lamp I cant find this draft or any results, not even on Philliy's site?

Here's a link to NHL.com's Draft Tracker for up-to-date results on each team's selections.

If you want to watch it on TV, it's on TSN and Versus.

As for news on the Flyers, here's an article on their official website about their two moves (trading Umberger and drafting Sbisa).

Hope that gets you updated on the Draft.

[headhunter55]

Originally Posted by Wes McSnipes

Here's a link to NHL.com's Draft Tracker for up-to-date results on each team's selections.

If you want to watch it on TV, it's on TSN and Versus.

As for news on the Flyers, here's an article on their official website about their two moves (trading Umberger and drafting Sbisa).

Hope that gets you updated on the Draft.

Thanx, I thought it was on VS, but its not on. They have golf on. But I checked out the tracker...perfect.