So for those of you who still VL can be traded for real assets like a 2nd round pick, it's not going to happen.

Everyone complained about Hartnell and now he is traded and it is stupid. Here are my thoughts.
-This trade is probaly just a start.
-RJ will provide more roster flexability in that he plays mostly wing but plays center too. Also will probably take PK duties so we don't use Giroux.
-He can also move up and down lines if needed where Hartnell was really only productive in the top 6 and not really anywhere else.
-He might be a better fit for the system Berube wants to run

Is this a culture change?
- Tomahawk

In some ways, it definitely is.

It's a bright side for local sportswriters: They get to recycle and update stories on Umberger. DID YOU KNOW HE WAS A PENS FAN GROWING UP?
- johndewar[/quote

sleeper cell plan hatched by JR. love it. hes actually really diabolical and has only been playing the role of such a public embarrassment to help his character role.

Another bright side: All of you fans that owned an Umberger jersey.....YOUR JERSEY IS NO LONGER OBSOLETE!
- johndewar

Well, it still is, because it's the old style, but aside from that...

Umberger was a healthy scratch on Columbus. I don't know why people seem to think he can slide right in and be a good 3rd line player. Flyers are, arguably, deeper at forward than Columbus too.
- PhillySportsGuy

I wouldn't make too much of Umberger being a healthy scratch. Sometimes a player just becomes unhappy in a place, and it affects his play. Clashes with the Coach, lot's of reasons for it. We'll see what happens.

And I could reply with I'm sure you'll hate it and reply negatively, but where would that get us? What I'll do is look at it objectively, and come to an unbiased opinion. I'm still processing it, but two initial thoughts I have is that I don't think this makes the Flyers a better team. And that I think this is one move of the Summer, and there are going to be other things to come.
- MJL

I just dont see how this sets us up any better. It helps us in 3-5 years when we dont have to carry Hartnell's deal, but it seems like they could have done better if they wanted to clear salary. I don't understand how they couldn't have traded Hartnell for a less expensive 3rd/4th liner.

Another bright side: All of you fans that owned an Umberger jersey.....YOUR JERSEY IS NO LONGER OBSOLETE!
- johndewar

Think he takes 20 back from Pronger?

Umberger was a healthy scratch and makes $4.6M over the next 3 seasons. Coaches don't continually scratch effective, veteran players.
- PhillySportsGuy

The Hextall era is off to an inauspicious start to say the least. They rid themselves of an albatross who can play for an albatross that can't play.

If the question is simply how does this make the Flyers better? It doesn't in the short term.

Well, it still is, because it's the old style, but aside from that...
- dilbert719

You say that, but I was there for Simon Gagne's first game back as a Flyer when they got him from LA....And don't you know there was a TON of old Gagne jerseys for sale at the stores in the WFC.....

And I could reply with I'm sure you'll hate it and reply negatively, but where would that get us? What I'll do is look at it objectively, and come to an unbiased opinion. I'm still processing it, but two initial thoughts I have is that I don't think this makes the Flyers a better team. And that I think this is one move of the Summer, and there are going to be other things to come.
- MJL

Exactly.

Start judging your GM's summer work at about the 20 game mark of the upcoming season.

Ok? A microcosm in both players careers. One playoff series. Big whoop.

I've watched enough of both players to know what I'm talking about. I'm cool with it.
- mochoson

One playoff series indeed, mind you it was CLB's second trip to the playoffs in franchise history, the first time they ever won a playoff game in franchise history and yet management has zero faith in the guy......

Again, Hartnel although declining, is a serviceable player, Umberger was a scratch on a less offensive team......

Everyone complained about Hartnell and now he is traded and it is stupid. Here are my thoughts.
-This trade is probaly just a start.
-RJ will provide more roster flexability in that he plays mostly wing but plays center too. Also will probably take PK duties so we don't use Giroux.
-He can also move up and down lines if needed where Hartnell was really only productive in the top 6 and not really anywhere else.
-He might be a better fit for the system Berube wants to run
- J35Bacher

Ding ding ding

Hartnell looked lost under Berube. He is a guy that needs free range on the ice and it was pretty apparent that Berube was having none of that.

Bye hartsy i will be one of those that misses ya. I'll never forget how you smashed out sean avery, stood up to paul gaustad, took. Slash to the ankle and got up to score a goal in the finals. A true flyer through and through.

As for this trade it makes little sense but hopefully umberger is invigorated playing back here. For now ill keep hoping im wrong about the good ol'boy club of the front office.
- JoeRussomanno

Think he takes 20 back from Pronger?
- Tomahawk

He'll have to drive to Pronger's place in St. Louis to get it from him.

Maybe Pronger will just make him mow his lawn.

I like the deal...never a fan of Hartsy I feel his numbers were a product of the line he was playing on, Umberger never really fit into Columbus and I am one that feel he will fit in better here in Philly...However, I dont think anyone can judge this until we realize what was behind it..Are there more trades to follow? Is this just getting rid of final two years while he has some value? I have to see what comes of the next few days, but this is an ok deal to me.

Another bright side: All of you fans that owned an Umberger jersey.....YOUR JERSEY IS NO LONGER OBSOLETE!
- johndewar

Awesome, is paul ranheim in still playing? I'd love to get two jerseys back in the fold

The Hextall era is off to an inauspicious start to say the least. They rid themselves of an albatross who can play for an albatross that can't play.

If the question is simply how does this make the Flyers better? It doesn't in the short term.
- PLindbergh31

I could understand the move if they got back a 3rd/4th line player making $1M. I just don't understand why they'd take back a player like Umberger. If they really coveted him, they could have gotten him for a late pick and Columbus may have even eaten salary.

Nothing as long as Hartnell is on the roster
- mochoson

oh my

Awesome, is paul ranheim in still playing? I'd love to get two jerseys back in the fold
- funmaster18

One playoff series indeed, mind you it was CLB's second trip to the playoffs in franchise history, the first time they ever won a playoff game in franchise history and yet management has zero faith in the guy......

Again, Hartnel although declining, is a serviceable player, Umberger was a scratch on a less offensive team......
- Whiskey-Tango

Not management. The coach. One person.

I can't really state it any other way then to say that and the fact that he was going to be bought out are irrelevant to me.

Now to trade Giroux to FLA for the #1 to draft Aaron Ekblad and Hextall can take the rest of the summer off.

I could understand the move if they got back a 3rd/4th line player making $1M. I just don't understand why they'd take back a player like Umberger. If they really coveted him, they could have gotten him for a late pick and Columbus may have even eaten salary.
- PhillySportsGuy

Dominoes.

I like the deal...never a fan of Hartsy I feel his numbers were a product of the line he was playing on, Umberger never really fit into Columbus and I am one that feel he will fit in better here in Philly...However, I dont think anyone can judge this until we realize what was behind it..Are there more trades to follow? Is this just getting rid of final two years while he has some value? I have to see what comes of the next few days, but this is an ok deal to me.
- nonpoint22

There will either be another addition on the wings or they're moving Read up in the lineup.

oh my
- -davies-

This is a good point. Mochoson, could you post the comment "Nothing as long as Rosehill is on the roster"?