JACKETS LAND UMBERGER
The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired forward R.J. Umberger and a fourth-round draft pick in 2008 from the Philadelphia Flyers for a first-round draft pick in 2008 and a third-round draft pick in 2008.
What does it give the Columbus Blue Jackets
In Umberger, the Jackets land a badly-needed forward with the potential to produce points from the center position. He can also play wing if needed, but the club is far deeper there than down the middle. Umberger is also familiar with coach Ken Hitchcock, so expect him to shoulder a heavy burden in Columbus. He may even become the team's first-line center.
What does it give the Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers need salary-cap relief so someone needed to go. Umberger is the right player to move at this time, since Philly boasts two quality winger prospects in Claude Giroux and James van Riemsdyk--who collectively should make the loss of Umberger easier to swallow. With the first-round pick, the Flyers added a need in defenseman Luca Sbisa, plus a third rounder in exchange for a fourth. All told, this move was necessary for Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, so he did well from an asset management standpoint.
Fantasy impact
Player focus
Philadelphia Flyers
a first-round draft pick in 2008
a first-round draft pick in 2008
