One of my only issues with the team this year was why Richards kept putting him out there with Foligno and Johansen, not just on the top line but over and over again on the PP. I really don't understand why it took so long. There were times earlier in the year when it/he clearly wasn't working. Should never have been getting more time than Dubi, Atkinson, Calvert, Anisimov or Jenner.
The Columbus Dispatch: Umberger wants out (Dispatch link post #276)
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One of my only issues with the team this year was why Richards kept putting him out there with Foligno and Johansen, not just on the top line but over and over again on the PP. I really don't understand why it took so long. There were times earlier in the year when it/he clearly wasn't working. Should never have been getting more time than Dubi, Atkinson, Calvert, Anisimov or Jenner.
The Jones Zone
Registered User
Given the news today that RJ was playing with not 1, not 2, but 3 different injuries....esp. one being a herniated disc, I think he'll fit right in on the 3rd line next year.
@Umby18: "I think other teams look at the schedule and know it's going to be a battle when they play us."
Clearly He feels he is going to be BlueJacket next year after this quote following game 6
#BattleOn
@Umby18: "I think other teams look at the schedule and know it's going to be a battle when they play us."
Clearly He feels he is going to be BlueJacket next year after this quote following game 6
#BattleOn
Cyclones Rock
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I think the answer as to why he got so many chances is simply a matter of $$$ the team has committed to him.
At the beginning of this season, RJU had a total of $18.4 million in salary due him over the next four seasons (though 2016-17). It's just natural for an organization to give a player with so much money committed to him more chances than a lesser paid player would be given. But, ultimately, management stopped harming the team and slotted RJU appropriately in the line up.
Cyclones Rock
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SuperGenius
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I think we have our explanation for the late season scratches. Much to the disappointment of many, I'm sure.
Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
Agreed.
I don't think the Umberger hate is fully founded, personally ... I agree that he is overpaid, but he's a proven performer, can play on the powerplay, and wants to be here.
A contract restructuring would be perfect (like they do in the NFL) ... but, I'm fine with Umberger.
The Jones Zone
Registered User
totally agree.
And if it's not working out, nothing says you have to keep him for the entire season
Cyclones Rock
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No can do in the NHL. A NTC or modified NTC can be waived, but that's all that can be changed in a standard NHL contract.
CBJWerenski8
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I don't see the Umberger hate either. The dude played this year basically how he played here in his first year when everybody loved him. He had a bad 2011-12 season start, a horrible 2011-12 season actually (until the end) and that's when his new contract was signed and since then people have never gotten off his back. He will never be worth the contract, but he's nowhere close as bad as people want to think.
And thus, no, he will not be bought out IMO.
And thus, no, he will not be bought out IMO.
Nanabijou
Booooooooooone
Off topic, but I think it is true that the speed with which fans tend to turn on players seems to correlate with the size of their contract. I wonder if that premise will ever factor into contract negotiations. Sure, everyone wants to make a boat-load of money, but if you sign the bloated contract you run the risk of being the next Gomez, Redden, Clarkson, and to a lesser extent, Umby, in drawing fans' wrath and run out of town.
On the flip side, a guy like Letestu struggled early on this season, but there wasn't a lot of venom sent his way perhaps because many of us feel he got underpaid in his last contract. You are willing to cut a player a little more slack if you don't feel that they milked a contract.
I just think there is some benefit to the players in not having their agent try to squeeze every last penny out of an organization during contract negotiations. Umby's contract is pretty scary to look at whenever anyone opens cap geek, and I think it works against him even when he plays decently.
RJ basicially played the same as in his first season here? Oh dear. RJ was more productive playing 3 minutes less a night.
No comparison.
Please. He's paid on the lower end of top six money and producing like a fringe second liner. He's a veteran. His contract isn't scary, his production is scary. If we wanted a role player he should be getting a million less.
It's the risk of signing a guy like him. We weren't looking for "decent", which for the most part he was. We were looking for someone to produce; which he only really did on the PP and he was hardly a PP specialist.
The days of RJ playing 18+ minutes a night are probably over; at least they should be. So do you want his 3rd lines minutes going to him or someone else in the organization? That's rhetorical and one that the front office might be asking themselves.
No comparison.
Please. He's paid on the lower end of top six money and producing like a fringe second liner. He's a veteran. His contract isn't scary, his production is scary. If we wanted a role player he should be getting a million less.
It's the risk of signing a guy like him. We weren't looking for "decent", which for the most part he was. We were looking for someone to produce; which he only really did on the PP and he was hardly a PP specialist.
The days of RJ playing 18+ minutes a night are probably over; at least they should be. So do you want his 3rd lines minutes going to him or someone else in the organization? That's rhetorical and one that the front office might be asking themselves.
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cbjfaninmo
4 those about 2 rock
I dont't hate RJ, but I think he will be a victim of his contract and getting mostly diminished 3rd line minutes. I think they will try to move him. No buyout. We can use his money and roster spot. My .02.
Just a note; he played the better part of the first half of the season with Johansen. It wasn't like he didn't have a chance to seize those minutes.
I'm sure they'll try and trade him first, if they have decided to move on. They'll probably have to retain some salary. The question was never if that was the first choice or now. It's what happens if there are no takers and you want his minutes for someone else.
We are certainly going full circle on that.
A broken right index finger, a separated right shoulder, a herniated disc, a bruised left hand, and an inch-long cut that required six stitches below a black-and-blue left eye.
That’s not the Blue Jackets’ list of injuries. That’s just the list of woes that right wing R.J. Umberger carries into the offseason.
“When you’re playing and you have a game the next night you’re able to push it aside,†Umberger said. “But when the season is over, and you don’t have a game to get ready for, you start to notice the pain maybe a little bit more.â€
http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com.../in-playoffs-injuries-ignored-by-players.html
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This should probably be taken into consideration when evaluating his performance.
That’s not the Blue Jackets’ list of injuries. That’s just the list of woes that right wing R.J. Umberger carries into the offseason.
“When you’re playing and you have a game the next night you’re able to push it aside,†Umberger said. “But when the season is over, and you don’t have a game to get ready for, you start to notice the pain maybe a little bit more.â€
http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com.../in-playoffs-injuries-ignored-by-players.html
===========================================
This should probably be taken into consideration when evaluating his performance.
The Press Express
Registered User
He shouldn't have played wounded, if he cant go 100% in the playoffs find someone that can
Crede777
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I would be OK with either choice the front office makes, provided that if they DO buy Umberger out they put the capspace that they save on him to work (signing a UFA or retaining someone important like Johansen).
If they do keep him, I'm sure they'll challenge or work with him to hopefully improve as much as he can.
If they do keep him, I'm sure they'll challenge or work with him to hopefully improve as much as he can.
Cyclones Rock
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I'm reading a lot about trading RJU. I'm wondering to whom for what? I just don't see it happening. Does anyone really think that RJU would be anything more than a sub par 3rd liner on a very bad team?
If the Jackets retain 30% of his salary (a number I've seen bandied about a few times) in a giveaway trade for a 7th rounder and don't have to take a bad contract back in return, then the Jackets would be paying $1.3 million for him and have the same amount as a cap hit. Someone else would be paying $3.3 million/yr. for RJU. I don't see this even as a remote possibility.
If the Jackets retain 50% of his salary on a giveaway trade-a percentage which I think is best case scenario (though very unlikely)-then the CBJ owe $2.3 million per year with the same cap hit. Over three seasons, that comes to roughly $7 million. The AMNESTY buyout number comes to $9.2 million. This $2.2 million difference with the buyout over the retained 50% salary buys $7 million in extra cap room . That's a steal if the CBJ intend to spend to the cap.
As far as any scenario involving a trade for another player, it would simply be a GIGO.....their problem for our problem. No one is going to give any player of value or a real prospect for RJU.
The time has come to rid themselves of a bad player with an even worse contract. This is an opportunity the Jackets won't have until the next CBA comes due in about a decade. Make hay while the sun shines.
If the Jackets retain 30% of his salary (a number I've seen bandied about a few times) in a giveaway trade for a 7th rounder and don't have to take a bad contract back in return, then the Jackets would be paying $1.3 million for him and have the same amount as a cap hit. Someone else would be paying $3.3 million/yr. for RJU. I don't see this even as a remote possibility.
If the Jackets retain 50% of his salary on a giveaway trade-a percentage which I think is best case scenario (though very unlikely)-then the CBJ owe $2.3 million per year with the same cap hit. Over three seasons, that comes to roughly $7 million. The AMNESTY buyout number comes to $9.2 million. This $2.2 million difference with the buyout over the retained 50% salary buys $7 million in extra cap room . That's a steal if the CBJ intend to spend to the cap.
As far as any scenario involving a trade for another player, it would simply be a GIGO.....their problem for our problem. No one is going to give any player of value or a real prospect for RJU.
The time has come to rid themselves of a bad player with an even worse contract. This is an opportunity the Jackets won't have until the next CBA comes due in about a decade. Make hay while the sun shines.
EspenK
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There are many factors to consider here:
Is he currently worth 4.6 million--NO
Is he as good as he once was- NO
Is he getting older - Yes
Is he slowing down- Yes
Is he very good at puck possession - NO
Is he a fan favorite -Yes
Can we do better with someone else - Maybe (I'd say probably but will keep this neutral)
Does the possibility exist that we will buy him out next year or the following- Maybe but if it is even a slight possibility I think you have to do it now.
Can he be traded? - I doubt it-at least not without taking back salary and for what we would get in return I don't see it
Can the saved money and improved cash flow be put to better use? I think so.
Did he score 18 goals - Yes
Is he a veteran leader- In our minds yes but for how long if he doesn't produce more?
Probably some I missed but to me the reasons for outweigh the reasons not to.
Is he currently worth 4.6 million--NO
Is he as good as he once was- NO
Is he getting older - Yes
Is he slowing down- Yes
Is he very good at puck possession - NO
Is he a fan favorite -Yes
Can we do better with someone else - Maybe (I'd say probably but will keep this neutral)
Does the possibility exist that we will buy him out next year or the following- Maybe but if it is even a slight possibility I think you have to do it now.
Can he be traded? - I doubt it-at least not without taking back salary and for what we would get in return I don't see it
Can the saved money and improved cash flow be put to better use? I think so.
Did he score 18 goals - Yes
Is he a veteran leader- In our minds yes but for how long if he doesn't produce more?
Probably some I missed but to me the reasons for outweigh the reasons not to.
Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
Viqsi
"that chick from Ohio"
Lordy, but I wish we could do this. I am so damn tired of his play getting evaluated based on his agent rather than himself.
* * *
For this - especially with the Letestu comparison, which I really should have thought of myself - you get a cookie.
* * *
Several of your given reasons here are redundant and/or circular. "Getting older" is considered bad because it means folks tend to slow down and not do as well as they used to, for example.
EspenK
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I was dumber then, I am so much smarter then that now
And for the record he should be bought out.
Viqsi
"that chick from Ohio"
Nuh-uh!I was dumber then, I am so much smarter then that now
And for the record he should be bought out.
Because we've debated it so much that I think we're out of reasonable arguments.
Letestu is a role player that isn't paid to produce points. Production is bonus. He only "struggled" via production. He 2 way and special team play was fine. There were many night that he didn't score but that line was still the best one on the ice and were generating plenty of chances. We go could games without a chance for RJ; at least 5 on 5.
You can't compare the situation unless Letestu's defensive play went south as well. The are paid to do different things.
Viqsi
"that chick from Ohio"
RJ being paid to produce points is why he ends up being overpaid. I think the comparison still holds.
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