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

[EspenK]

Given Umbie's desire for a trade do you think he still lists 10 he won't go to or does he say screw it, it's only 3 years and I want out so let's make it as easy as possible?

My guess is he still lists the 10 becasue in his mind he still thinks he can help a decent to good team and he's had enough losing in Columbus to last a lifetime.

 

[Sore Loser]

Given Umbie's desire for a trade do you think he still lists 10 he won't go to or does he say screw it, it's only 3 years and I want out so let's make it as easy as possible?

My guess is he still lists the 10 becasue in his mind he still thinks he can help a decent to good team and he's had enough losing in Columbus to last a lifetime.

The fact that they came up with a number of teams - 10 - that he can refuse trade to, signals to me that he will list 10 teams he doesn't want to go to.

Three years is a long time, especially for someone with a family, and who is late in his career. He may have 5-6 years left in him; does he want to spend the next half of that in Edmonton?

My gut would say no.

 

[punk_o_holic]

Some of you thought it was funny how he was fine being in Columbus when the team was struggling. But the minute it looks like the team is turning it around, he asks for a trade because of the lack of ice time and being a healthy scratch down the stretch. With that said, do you think he puts some contending teams on his no trade list because he will know he won't get the ice time and possibly accepts a trade to weaker team, knowing that he will get his ice time? Or will he just list off all the bad teams/bad cities and then take his chances?
What does Umberger want?
Contending team w/less ice time vs re building team w/ ice time with a possibility of a city that might not be wonderful place for him and his family.

Also, why do they have to wait until June 15th for his list of teams? Can't they ask for it now because both parties agreed to a trade? More time to work out a trade the better for management and the sooner it gets done the better for both parties. Management has one less thing to deal with and Umberger and his family can move to the new city and settle in.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

In a few weeks, RJU will have the privilege of unencumbered negotiations with 29 NHL teams.

He will have full say in where he won't go

 

[Doug19]

Doubt there are 29 teams that would want him.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

The fact that they came up with a number of teams - 10 - that he can refuse trade to, signals to me that he will list 10 teams he doesn't want to go to.

Three years is a long time, especially for someone with a family, and who is late in his career. He may have 5-6 years left in him; does he want to spend the next half of that in Edmonton?

My gut would say no.

That was a number decided when the contracted was negotiated initially. He certainly can provide a list of less than 10 if he so chooses.

Even still, Edmonton is in a state of constant rebuild and doesn't look like they'll win soon. Even if he only give a list of 5, Edmonton has a good shot of being in that 5.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Also, why do they have to wait until June 15th for his list of teams? Can't they ask for it now because both parties agreed to a trade? More time to work out a trade the better for management and the sooner it gets done the better for both parties. Management has one less thing to deal with and Umberger and his family can move to the new city and settle in.

He can certainly give the list now if he chooses to. maybe he already has. June 15th is just the contractual date that his limited NTC goes into place. Since they've already had the conversation, I wouldn't be surprised if he has given his list already. Its just being kept low key and not getting leaked out of the org. Trades aren't really going to occur on a large scale anyway until the Finals are over in preparation for the Draft.

 

[cbjfaninmo]

RJ's wife will be submitting the list of 10 teams. Most of us know who really has the final say.

 

[Mayor Bee]

There is a third option, but it would basically put a nuke to any goodwill that's been built up in the past 16 months.

Umberger has an NTC, not an NMC. Therefore, he can be placed on waivers without needing approval from the player. Meaning that if a solid trade is arranged with a team that's on the 10-team no-trade list and he refuses to waive, it would be possible to threaten to put him on waivers and basically gamble with where he'll end up instead of actually having even a little bit of say in the process.

The last time that this happened (at least that's known publicly) was Tampa with Dan Boyle, under two people whose names are not spoken in that city. That was barely four months after he signed a six-year extension with an NTC (but not NMC), and he was basically told to either waive for San Jose or else see him be claimed off waivers by Atlanta.

 

[CBJSlash]

RJ will want to play on a contender. That will eliminate most of the teams who may have interest in him.

I'd put it at 50/50 that he suits for up for us next year.

There's no way we will buy him out.

 

[Crede777]

I just don't see what the point is for Umberger. Any team that is as good as or better than the Jackets probably won't give him any more ice time than we would. Unless he's willing to waive to go to a bad team, he's going to be getting 3rd/4th line minutes. Wouldn't it make sense to do it in a city you've lived in for a while and with friends?

 

[Sore Loser]

I just don't see what the point is for Umberger. Any team that is as good as or better than the Jackets probably won't give him any more ice time than we would. Unless he's willing to waive to go to a bad team, he's going to be getting 3rd/4th line minutes. Wouldn't it make sense to do it in a city you've lived in for a while and with friends?

But, maybe he can play third line minutes and not be a healthy scratch for guys like Tropp and Frattin?

 

[Jaxs]

For Umberger to ask out when the team-organization is on an upward trajectory is a bit baffling. If RJU would have watched game tape of the several games before his scratches, he would have agreed with being scratched. Maybe he saw the tape and is just delusional. I know that playing through injuries is noble, but healthy players coming in for him gave the team a better chance of winning.

After the Pitt series, he claimed to have several injuries. I don't know if he was injured or not during the scratches. His play during that time would suggest he was.

 

[NotWendell]

RJ's wife will be submitting the list of 10 teams. Most of us know who really has the final say.

Why should RJ be any different than the rest of us?!?

 

[NotWendell]

I'd say if he gets traded, it's either to Florida or Phoenix. If not, he's a buyout candidate. If not, he'll be suiting up for us next season - perhaps with a more honest assessment of his value.

 

[major major]

RJ will want to play on a contender. That will eliminate most of the teams who may have interest in him.

I'd put it at 50/50 that he suits for up for us next year.

There's no way we will buy him out.

Its possible he just wants a fresh start. I don't think this is a going to a contender thing. He wants to get his game back on track in a place that will play him. With a good team, all the better, but I don't know if that's hugely important to him.

 

[punk_o_holic]

I'd say if he gets traded, it's either to Florida or Phoenix. If not, he's a buyout candidate. If not, he'll be suiting up for us next season - perhaps with a more honest assessment of his value.

I could see him accepting a trade to either team.
Phoenix-Nice and warm place. Team is good enough to make the playoffs so he isn't going to a basement team.
Florida-Nice and warm place. Team has some nice young talent that he could play with. Might think with Luongo in net and with Tallon saying he is willing to spend money on players, and the potential trade of the 1st overall pick for immediate help, could be a better team then expected.

If Florida only offered Scottie Upshall, would you take him back? He could be the same as Umberger but the only difference is he has 1 more year left at $3.5 before becoming a UFA. With that said, will Florida ask Columbus to eat salary or throw in a draft pick? If so, would you still do it?

 

[db2011]

Its possible he just wants a fresh start. I don't think this is a going to a contender thing. He wants to get his game back on track in a place that will play him. With a good team, all the better, but I don't know if that's hugely important to him.

He tell you this over beers or something?

Who's to say he thinks his game needs getting back on track? He's getting paid a lot of money to play hockey. Maybe he doesn't believe he's worth his contract, but if so I'd be surprised. He's got a bank account that tells him he's a pretty good hockey player, so there's a decent chance his game is right where he thinks it ought to be.

 

[RBarRegular]

I could see him accepting a trade to either team.
Phoenix-Nice and warm place. Team is good enough to make the playoffs so he isn't going to a basement team.
Florida-Nice and warm place. Team has some nice young talent that he could play with. Might think with Luongo in net and with Tallon saying he is willing to spend money on players, and the potential trade of the 1st overall pick for immediate help, could be a better team then expected.

If Florida only offered Scottie Upshall, would you take him back? He could be the same as Umberger but the only difference is he has 1 more year left at $3.5 before becoming a UFA. With that said, will Florida ask Columbus to eat salary or throw in a draft pick? If so, would you still do it?

I'd take Upshall back. I never understood the lack of an attempt to re-sign him in the first place.

 

[EspenK]

I'd say if he gets traded, it's either to Florida or Phoenix. If not, he's a buyout candidate. If not, he'll be suiting up for us next season - perhaps with a more honest assessment of his value.

Well, I think you touched 'em all.

I can live with options 1 & 2. I just don't see how #3 works for anyone.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I'd take Upshall back. I never understood the lack of an attempt to re-sign him in the first place.

Because he wasn't special and just like Matt Frattin, he and Lepisto were just contracts to be taken so we could move Klesla's contract.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Its possible he just wants a fresh start. I don't think this is a going to a contender thing. He wants to get his game back on track in a place that will play him. With a good team, all the better, but I don't know if that's hugely important to him.

I've bolded what I consider to be the most important thing to RJ. Whether or not he recognizes his decline - or, if he does, believes it can be reversed or at least halted - I don't have a feeling on. But my gut tells me RJ wants to play, and his repeated scratches as the season wound down gave him an indication of things to come via-a-vis his role on this roster. I don't think he's asking out just because the team is on the rise. My guess is he'd like to stay and be a part of what's happening here, but that it doesn't appear he will be that big of a part.

(All of this looking at it from RJ's perspective.)

 

[Mayor Bee]

If Florida only offered Scottie Upshall, would you take him back? He could be the same as Umberger but the only difference is he has 1 more year left at $3.5 before becoming a UFA. With that said, will Florida ask Columbus to eat salary or throw in a draft pick? If so, would you still do it?

Upshall is a borderline useless player, always has been and always will be. He's an exact clone of Jason Chimera: a guy who's fast and always looks like he's doing something, and then he'll finish the year with 12 goals and 30 points while contributing nothing in his own end.

 

[blahblah]

Upshall is a borderline useless player, always has been and always will be. He's an exact clone of Jason Chimera: a guy who's fast and always looks like he's doing something, and then he'll finish the year with 12 goals and 30 points while contributing nothing in his own end.

A bit harsh. I have no interest in bringing him back. There really isn't a place for him on this team.

On to different topic. Kind of amusing that AP linked him to a Gagner trade.

 

[KingBob]

Umberger <-> Gagner? Good work Kekäläinen.

http://www.suomikiekko.com/2014/06/...twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter (finnish)