That's where I'm at as well. I credit Bobby and Matty more than Umby. But his play and Brassard's yesterday is certainly helpful to the cause.
Umberger's recent play
- Thread starter plong123
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That's where I'm at as well. I credit Bobby and Matty more than Umby. But his play and Brassard's yesterday is certainly helpful to the cause.
Byrral
Registered User
Very mixed bag of opinions here and all because of Umby's mixed play this year. I think most here like RJ and want him to play this way all of time. The biggest problem I have is his annual slow starts (this is not new to this year) when we need his leadership and play to get us off to a fast start. This year was especially important with all the new players and we all know what happened. RJ seems to take weeks once the season starts to get into "hockey shape." I can only speculate to why that is 
Matthew
OK Boomer
Very mixed bag of opinions here and all because of Umby's mixed play this year. I think most here like RJ and want him to play this way all of time. The biggest problem I have is his annual slow starts (this is not new to this year) when we need his leadership and play to get us off to a fast start. This year was especially important with all the new players and we all know what happened. RJ seems to take weeks once the season starts to get into "hockey shape." I can only speculate to why that is
My working theory was that he was trying to use up the remaining of his "Meal Swipes" on his BUCK ID when he was coaching at OSU this year. Really packed in the pounds there at the finish line.
Cyclones Rock
Registered User
- Jun 12, 2008
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This would be the only possible (still very unlikely imo) way he could be traded. I believe the new CBA allows for a team to retain half of a traded player's salary. $2.25m/yr for 4 years ($9m) in Umberger's case.
I understand the tr00Jackets fans' first reaction is cynicism (guilty), but let's just enjoy this for what it is, ok? I am just saying that I have been really impressed with him lately. He's been doing the right things. He isn't blatantly out of position and slow looking recently. Heck, he scored again tonight, and it's because he's fighting hard. Can we all agree that the CBJ is a much better team when Umby is a dynamic piece in the puzzle, rather than someone we'd rather see scratched?
Robert
Foligno family
Absolutely.... he is looking much better recently, if he can average 0.7 point a night from here on out (after all he is on the first line) he will be in my ring of 2012-2013 season fame...
Crede777
Deputized
- Dec 16, 2009
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No I don't believe he wasn't attempting to play at this level. But it's a recurring issue every season. That makes it a problem that he needs to try to fix.
Every season or just back to back? I wouldn't take what could possibly be coincidence as a pattern just yet.
Rico Fatastic
Registered User
- Jul 28, 2002
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Looks like there are drastically different opinions on Umberger's value to your team, but if Columbus retained, say $1.5M of his salary for the rest of his contract, I suspect Pittsburgh would be very interested. I haven't seen any Columbus games yet this year, but I'm pretty confident he'd be a better option than Tyler Kennedy on our third line, and he'd improve our overall winger depth, which is pretty awful at the moment (Matt Cooke is next in line to play wing in the top 6 if someone gets hurt).
It'd be really tough to put together a trade proposal, though, because the value of retained salary in a trade has not yet been established.
It'd be really tough to put together a trade proposal, though, because the value of retained salary in a trade has not yet been established.
cbjgirl
Just thinking
Umberger's and Brassard's play picked up for both when they were separated. I think Umberger was trying to play a "Brassard" game when he really is better fitted playing more of a "Letestu" game. Those two just weren't clicking well at all.
I do like the Foligno - Joey - Umberger combo.
I do like the Foligno - Joey - Umberger combo.
I hope Umberger is traded at the deadline no matter where we are in the standings. Like a 2nd and decent prospect, maybe a 1st if were lucky. Bad contract. I think whats been talked about with Dubi recently is actually whats going on in the heads of JD n JK when it comes to RJ. Dude has looked BAD all year, even the last good stretch here. He was originally brought in for his "intangibles"..... grit, leadership, pk ability and i guess some secondary scoring for a team that needed all that. NOW were a team FULL of guys with those exact characteristics...and theyre all better than RJ Umberger. Shouldve focused more on playing than coaching during the lockout.
Robert
Foligno family
If this was the Howson era I'd say no way RJ is traded anytime soon, after JD fired HOwson I think anything is possible now...
That said, I doubt many teams will be willing to take RJ's contract unless they have a cup potential need for a solid veteran third liner...
Bolding mine. I wasn't too imppressed by Brassards 5 on 5 game with Letestu and Vinny two 2 games ago, and I thought he was a bit better last night against Detroit, though he seemed disinterested on a play or two... However, he does seem to be improving and let us see what Brassard does in the next 5-8 games..... (Sorry a bit OT)
Umby's history:
With Philly:
2005/2006: 20g 18a 38p - 7th on team in scoring
2006/2007: 16g 12a 28p - 8th on team in scoring
2007/2008: 13g 37a 50p - 5th on team in scoring
With CBUS
2008/2009: 26g 20a 46p - 3rd on team in scoring
2009/2010: 23g 32a 55p - 4th on team in scoring
2010/2011: 25g 32a 57p - 2nd on team in scoring
2011/2012: 20g 20a 40p - 4th on team in scoring
I highly doubt, that you know what Umberger focused on during the offseason. All great players have slumps. Since his first goal of this season. He's scored 5 goals 4 assist in 15 games. That puts him right on a 50p pace in his last 15 games. To suggest that any player who scores at a 50pt pace is playing BAD hockey is ignorant. Am I able to forget his first 11 games? YES! Look at Datsyuk - Hasn't scored a goal in 10 straight games. It's called a slump and players have them!
He's had down years before. To suggest he can't return to 50+pts is stupid. And if you believe a 50pt player is not valuable, I'd wonder why you are so in love with Anisimov who has never registered a 50pt season or Dubinksy who has only registered 1.
Consistent 50pt players aren't easy to come by. Let alone one who has been especially dangerous in the playoffs. Let the "kids" prove themselves for more than half a shortened season before you want to trade away the vets.
And for those who cry about his salary...Who cares!!?!?! We aren't a cap team. His contract has zero impact on the clubs decisions. The guy made sure to have a NTC in his contract because he loves CBUS. Has his family here and wants to remain here.
Where is your support? I don't understand the hatred towards this guy.
Columbus Jack
He's from Columbus
It probably has something to do with him not coming in ready to play. I also have my doubts he'll ever hit 50pts again. The dude just looks like he doesn't have anywhere near the heart he once had. I'd love to be wrong.
I like Umberger and he's been great for marketing the team with his OSU ties, but I think that he's quickly playing his way off this team. GMJK is going to try like gangbusters to deal him. The one thing you guys are talking about is being able to eat salary in trades. This is what will take the place of throwing in the obligatory pick to take a bad contract. If the Jackets are willing to eat 1 to 1.5 million in salary, I could definitely see the Jackets having 4 first round picks in June.
Nanabijou
Booooooooooone
There is a difference between a slump, where you are getting chances but they aren't going in, and Umberger's start the last 2 seasons. When it happens twice in a row after signing a big fat contract, and you're now the highest-paid forward on the team, you better expect to become the whipping boy among fans.
I'm happy that he's showing signs of getting his legs back and playing closer to his potential again. If he's playing his game, he can be a valuable contributor. The contract is steep, but the Jackets can accommodate that if he's playing like he's capable of playing.
I'm happy that he's showing signs of getting his legs back and playing closer to his potential again. If he's playing his game, he can be a valuable contributor. The contract is steep, but the Jackets can accommodate that if he's playing like he's capable of playing.
