Flyers ship R.J. Umberger to Columbus

The NHL Draft is under way and several teams have made big moves, including the Flyers. The Flyers, unable to afford the recently signed Jeff Carter, R.J. Umberger and a top defenseman in Free Agency, have created cap space for themselves by trading Umberger and the 119th pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for two 2008 draft picks, the 19th pick of the first round and the 67th pick in the third round.

While I hate to see Umberger go, the Flyers were smart to deal him now after his hot playoff run. Umberger scored 10 goals in the playoffs, so his value was never going to be any higher. Plus, the Flyers are dealing from a strength, since Umberger is really a center and the Flyers are loaded down the middle. Of course, this deal makes sense only if the Flyers do go out and bring in one of the top free agent defensemen, like a Brian Campbell, with the extra money they now have. The 19 pick in the draft will also be used for someone who will help down the road.

Another nice move by Paul Holmgren. Umberger was a great player, but the extra cap space and the high draft pick are too good to pass up.

Flyers rumors: Carter set to sign, Umberger trade?

A few interesting rumors as the Flyers offseason has begun:

*Carter to sign long term deal According to Hockeybuzz.com, the Flyers are ready to sign restricted free agent Jeff Carter to a long-term deal. The deal could happen as soon as this weekend. Carter has expressed that he wants to remain with the Flyers, so it makes sense that he would want to sign early so he can focus on preparing for next season. If the Flyers fail to sign him now, they risk letting another team sign him to a huge contract that they couldn't match. I would expect the Flyers to give him a really long deal in the 6 to 8 year range that might be for slightly less than he could make with another team over a shorter period. Hopefully Carter will enjoy the security of knowing he will be with a solid, up-and-coming team for the prime of his career instead of trying to take the big bucks on a lesser team.

*Umberger could be traded? When/if the Flyers sign Carter, their next order of business will be to figure out what they will do with another restricted free agent, R.J. Umberger. Umberger could get a big contract offer from a team that watched him be a superstar against the Canadiens in the second round and that could price him out of Philly. The Flyers likely aren't going to shell out huge dollars to retain Umberger because he figures to be a third liner at best next season. Umberger may opt to go to another team where he can have a scoring role, so there is a chance he won't be back next season. Hockeybuzz.com proposes that a trade of Umberger to Nashville for Ryan Suter would make sense for both teams. The Flyers get the puck moving defenseman they need badly and the Predators get a winger who can score.

While that deal is highly speculative, it makes sense on a few levels. The Flyers and Predators have made plenty of deals over the last few years, so there is certainly a relationship there. The Predators also have plenty of young defensemen so losing Suter might not be a big hindrance. Finally, the Flyers would be able to avoid overpaying for Umberger who is certainly not worth the money his playoff goal scoring spree might get him.

Both of those rumors are from Hockeybuzz.com which isn't always a reliable source, but both make sense for the Flyers. Whatever happens with this team in the offseason, it's nice to have a GM like Paul Holmgren in charge. Holmgren has proven he will do what it takes to make the Flyers a better team even if he has to be creative to get it done. The Flyers are in good hands with Homer at the helm.

Pens Knock Flyers into Third Place

For the first time this year, the Penguins beat the Flyers. You may recall that last year, the Penguins owned the Flyers, beating them every time they played. This year, the Flyers had reversed the trend, beating their cross-state rival four times. The Penguins broke that streak today, winning 4-3 over the reeling Flyers, who have lost three in a row and have dropped into third place in the Atlantic. The Penguins are still playing without Sidney Crosby, but their other young star, Evgeni Malkin, had a huge game, getting a goal and three assists. No word yet on whether the fan in the above picture got beat up by frustrated Flyer fans in the parking lot after the game.

For the Flyers, R.J. Umberger had another spectacular game against the Penguins. He had two goals, and that gives him a total of 11 points in five games against Pittsburgh this year. Maybe this guy needs to pretend like he is playing the Penguins every night, because he has had a very ordinary season otherwise. Steve Downie got into another scrap in the first period, this time against Jarkko Ruutu, and the two traded some big blows before Downie decided to end the fight and he skated away. Watch the video of the fight below:


*Injury Update Scottie Upshall will still be out for about a week, while Braydon Coburn will be out longer. Coburn injured himself in the Rangers game on Saturday, tearing his butt. Seriously, that was his injury. He had surgery and should be out for a couple of weeks.

*Trade Rumors Lasse Kukkonen, who hasn't played in what seems like months, will get some ice time for the time being, but I would expect the Flyers to make a move for another defenseman in the next few days. Rob Blake's name continues to be bandied about, although the Sharks might be the front runner to get him. Other defensemen that have been rumored to be available include Tomas Kaberle, Brian Campbell and John-Michael Liles. All three would fit the Flyers need of an offensive defeneseman, but they would all come at a steep price, especially Campbell, who the Sabres probably won't trade.