The Columbus Dispatch: Umberger wants out (Dispatch link post #276)

[letsgojackets]

Well this makes things interesting. Trade requested...

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com...8/jackets-umberger-agree-trade-is-needed.html

 

[fox2usp]

Well this makes things interesting. Trade requested...

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com...8/jackets-umberger-agree-trade-is-needed.html

Makes things easier.

 

[Jackets16]

Umberger has done a lot for Columbus, but this is probably for the best. I wonder who would trade for him with the contract he has though.

 

[Jackets16]

I'm not convinced Atkinson is here even next year. I'm not wishing him gone but he is a valuable chip and I'm just not convinced he's a long term core player.

He seems like a great guy who is good for the locker room too. I would be surprised if we traded him. The only way I see us trading him is if we can get a really good LW/RW back in a trade (not necessarily involving him).

 

[CharlotteJacket]

I did misread Forbes 2012-13

f there is interest in a deep analysis, I will be happy to start a thread to allow anyone interested to participate in the discussion.

I would be interested in that thread.

 

[Kev22]

I don't see too many teams interested in acquiring an aging, overpaid, possible 20 goal scorer, that skates with the weight of a piano on his back. This did not make things easier for the organization. GMJK is not only going to have to retain salary, but probably have to give up something he would rather not to get rid of him. I find this troubling, but it is obvious that RJ does not belong here anymore.

 

[Xoggz22]

Umberger has done a lot for Columbus, but this is probably for the best. I wonder who would trade for him with the contract he has though.

CBJ will retain salary. I'm wondering what 10 teams he'll have on his No Trade list. I have to believe teams like EDM, VAN, CAL, WPG and BUF are unlikely destinations. If he had his choice I think PIT(born), PHI(loved it) or CAR(owns home) would be high option destinations. Too bad all are within the division - maybe that's a good thing?

The leadership would have to be replaced, in my opinion, with a vet but that could be done in the bottom 6 at much lower salary requirements. If we can turn RJ into any asset that would be a good thing at this point.

 

[EspenK]

So even thought the article indicated a buyout is unlikely, I didn't see that being attributed to a the source. I think that was Porty opining or at least trying to protect the trade value before July 1 (or whenever the compliance buyout period ends). Why would a team give up assets for a guy they could sign in free agency?

Hopefully someone wants him badly enough to give up something worthwhile. My guess is that he is gone one way or the other. At this point it doesn't look like he figures into the plan going forward.

 

[Jackets16]

I don't see too many teams interested in acquiring an aging, overpaid, possible 20 goal scorer, that skates with the weight of a piano on his back. This did not make things easier for the organization. GMJK is not only going to have to retain salary, but probably have to give up something he would rather not to get rid of him. I find this troubling, but it is obvious that RJ does not belong here anymore.

Not sure how this changed anything. We would have been telling teams he is available, if we wanted to trade him, so they would have all known anyway. It isn't like when a player like Nash requests a trade, so we may get less because teams know he isn't coming back. It is probably hard to get anything less for Umberger than we would have already gotten.

 

[Jackets16]

So even thought the article indicated a buyout is unlikely, I didn't see that being attributed to a the source. I think that was Porty opining or at least trying to protect the trade value before July 1 (or whenever the compliance buyout period ends). Why would a team give up assets for a guy they could sign in free agency?

Hopefully someone wants him badly enough to give up something worthwhile. My guess is that he is gone one way or the other. At this point it doesn't look like he figures into the plan going forward.

I don't really care if someone trades us something good. I just hope we don't have to take a player back who is on a bad salary. I'd gladly trade Umberger for a low draft pick if it meant we didn't have to take back any significant salary.

 

[Jackets16]

CBJ will retain salary. I'm wondering what 10 teams he'll have on his No Trade list. I have to believe teams like EDM, VAN, CAL, WPG and BUF are unlikely destinations. If he had his choice I think PIT(born), PHI(loved it) or CAR(owns home) would be high option destinations. Too bad all are within the division - maybe that's a good thing?

The leadership would have to be replaced, in my opinion, with a vet but that could be done in the bottom 6 at much lower salary requirements. If we can turn RJ into any asset that would be a good thing at this point.

Why would we have to replace his leadership? We already have a ton of leaders and the young guys we are bringing in are hard workers who have the qualities to be future leaders.

 

[Xoggz22]

Why would we have to replace his leadership? We already have a ton of leaders and the young guys we are bringing in are hard workers who have the qualities to be future leaders.

I see a lot of veterans coming up for renewal this and next year. While we can all want and believe players will be re-signed the CBJ have MacKenzie, Letestu, Foligno, Dubinsky, Umberger and Comeau all potentially gone within the next year. There is still a core group and the young players are said to have great character but I would simply like to see another veteran added that can help mold this team. Just my opinion.

 

[Jackets16]

I see a lot of veterans coming up for renewal this and next year. While we can all want and believe players will be re-signed the CBJ have MacKenzie, Letestu, Foligno, Dubinsky, Umberger and Comeau all potentially gone within the next year. There is still a core group and the young players are said to have great character but I would simply like to see another veteran added that can help mold this team. Just my opinion.

That is fine. I just would rather we add more skill. We have enough leadership. We need more talent.

 

[GoJackets1]

Well this makes things interesting. Trade requested...

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com...8/jackets-umberger-agree-trade-is-needed.html

I figured RJ would be one who recognizes that bad play leads to healthy scratches. This makes him seem to have a feeling of entitlement, something we cannot afford to have on this team. He should know that if he doesn't play well, he'll be scratched. Just because he's a veteran doesn't mean he shouldn't be held to the same standards as everyone else on the team.

If that's going to be his attitude, then good riddance.

 

[Dr. Fire]

I figured RJ would be one who recognizes that bad play leads to healthy scratches. This makes him seem to have a feeling of entitlement, something we cannot afford to have on this team. He should know that if he doesn't play well, he'll be scratched. Just because he's a veteran doesn't mean he shouldn't be held to the same standards as everyone else on the team.

If that's going to be his attitude, then good riddance.

I am not convinced that Umby has a "sense of entitlement". Rather, I think he sees the good caliber of youngsters in the system that are ready to push him out of a roster spot. He probably just wants to go to a team where he could still help them win, and finish his career contributing.

I think JK and JD are still on a youth movement, but can now bring in talented youth with some pieces that we have available. There are some teams out there (Pens?) that are in need of better 3rd and 4th line guys where RJ could contribute. He knows that.

His salary is an issue, though.

 

[Derby]

I am not convinced that Umby has a "sense of entitlement". Rather, I think he sees the good caliber of youngsters in the system that are ready to push him out of a roster spot. He probably just wants to go to a team where he could still help them win, and finish his career contributing.

I think JK and JD are still on a youth movement, but can now bring in talented youth with some pieces that we have available. There are some teams out there (Pens?) that are in need of better 3rd and 4th line guys where RJ could contribute. He knows that.

His salary is an issue, though.

I agree with this. There is nothing to suggest RJ has been anything other than a good teammate and leader.

 

[Tairy]

Does anyone else find it odd that once the blue jackets found their identity it seemed like a perfect match for RJ's style yet it exposed him. All of the sudden he became slow, plain and unengaged.

As for the scratching, I felt like it was ill-timed. He played far worse in the first half of the year and finally started to play a little better and got scratched. Personally I can't justify dressing him over almost every other player in the organization but that's just my opinion. If the 4 scratches are what really pissed him off and made him want out then all I can say is.. Brilliant

 

[EspenK]

I see a lot of veterans coming up for renewal this and next year. While we can all want and believe players will be re-signed the CBJ have MacKenzie, Letestu, Foligno, Dubinsky, Umberger and Comeau all potentially gone within the next year. There is still a core group and the young players are said to have great character but I would simply like to see another veteran added that can help mold this team. Just my opinion.

I don't think vet leadership is what we need though. What I really want is a skilled forward particularly a RW.


Although Iggy may still have a Cup at the top of his list $$$ talk and if we offer enough who knows?

 

[SuperGenius]

Well this makes things interesting. Trade requested...

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com...8/jackets-umberger-agree-trade-is-needed.html

More like trade agreed upon. Fans are taking this as a trade demand but it seems pretty clear that it is a mutual decision.

 

[Samkow]

Ya know, I don't like the guy as a player so I'm biased and I full well understand that every hockey player wants to play, but his comments come off as incredibly entitled. You were hurt and not contributing. That wasn't the time for a pity lineup spot.

This relationship needs to end in divorce. I don't think he has any trade value so I hope we'll still buy him out.

 

[Samkow]

More like trade agreed upon. Fans are taking this as a trade demand but it seems pretty clear that it is a mutual decision.

From the article.

Umberger, who was a healthy scratch in four late-season games, requested the trade, the sources said. He declined to comment when reached by The Dispatch on Friday. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen, reached at the world championships in Belarus, also declined to comment.

 

[Socks]

This will make lots of people happy and, yes, it will probably be good in the long run.

But I'm still sad.

 

[Tairy]

This will make lots of people happy and, yes, it will probably be good in the long run.

But I'm still sad.

Don't be sad, there are incredible young players on their way. Umberger was eating up too much ice time and not making anyone around him any better.

 

[Samkow]

This will make lots of people happy and, yes, it will probably be good in the long run.

But I'm still sad.

Umberger's money will probably go directly to locking up Dubinsky and Foligno long term. Don't be sad.

 

[EspenK]

So now that it appears that Umbie won't be here who plays the RW with Foligno & Arty?

Does this open a spot for Wennberg if he stars in camp?

UFA? Iggy, Vrbata, Callahan?

Trade return? Don't see us getting that good of a return.

Current roster? Skille? Letestu? Comeau?

The most glaring roster problem to me to be addressed this season (will be if Umbie stays too )