Dispatch: R.J. Umberger has requested he be traded this summer, and #CBJ will try to grant his wishes, sources say http://t.co/B2PLUIRNBv
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) May 18, 2014
The news came down from Aaron Portzline at the Columbus Dispatch that RJ Umberger made it known in the exit interviews that he would be open to a trade. Umberger was obviously upset that Todd Richards scratched him four times heading down the stretch into the playoffs. And, if you were a loyal, hardworking player for a team during their bad years only to get benched during their most important stretch of games, would you not want out as well?
The aging veteran has played for the Blue Jackets since the 2008-09 season, putting up three of his four best seasons, in terms of points. Most of those points came while he was playing alongside Rick Nash. Shortly after Nash’s departure, Umberger would have his worst season as a player scoring 18 points in 48 games in 2012-13.
Umberger is not likely to improve over the next few seasons and he’s never been a player that team’s should look to as a top six forward. Not over the course of an entire season anyway. However when your cap hit is $4.5M maybe you expect to get top six minutes as you live in a delusional world where you are the superstar and the variable that keeps your team competitive.
https://twitter.com/307x/status/468058762767773696
This request should be viewed as a blessing in disguise. Umberger has strong ties to the region, playing out a very successful college career at OSU and raised in the Pittsburgh area. During the lockout he stepped behind the bench at OSU as an assistant coach. Unfortunately, it was clear that he didn’t spend enough time training and keeping himself in game-shape while coaching. Umberger looked slow and old last season and he didn’t appear to get any younger this season.
If the Columbus Blue Jackets were going to buyout RJ Umberger’s contract, they would have done that last season. There is still reason to hope that a team sees value in Umberger and offers anything in return. It’s safe to assume that the Blue Jackets will have to eat part of his contract, but he only has three more seasons left on his deal and the ownership would prefer to get something in return rather than paying most of his contract for nothing.
What value might drive a team to inquire about him? Well, he’s been effective at drawing more penalties than he has taken in the last three seasons by 28. Plus he led the team in power play goals (8). Unfortunately his possession numbers have only hovered around 46% the last three seasons, but he should be seen as a good depth skater that adds valuable experience in the playoffs.
Umberger’s NMC officially ends after the last game of the Stanley Cup Finals and a limited NTC will take effect. He’ll be required to submit a list of ten teams that he does not want to be traded to. On the short list of teams that might be interested, it’s always tough to judge these things. Yet, I would think St Louis, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Edmonton might be interested. Things can always change and Umberger might be traded with another player in order to make a deal. One of the names that’s been getting tossed about by fans is Cam Atkinson. His youth and speed is something to be desired and could bring in a decent return.
The question is no longer if, it’s when. I’d be surprised if Umberger is not moved before or during the Entry Draft.
This post may have come off as a bit negative but make no mistake about it, Umberger will always have my respect. It’s just time for him to go, making room for the next generation of Blue Jackets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9TFa9U6mnE
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