Wasn't Columbus going to use a compliance buyout on Umberger before the Flyers traded for him? I really liked Hartsy as a team guy and he scored some big goals as a Flyer...shame he couldn't stay on his feet and avoid the dumb penalties. Casualty of the cap ala Scottie Upshall
- aantny88

That was the scuttlebutt.

Streit led all players in points.

NORRIS
- NickTheKid87

Just the Norris?

Not sure it's premature with the dozen or so games I watched from Columbus last season...he looked to be a shell of his former self last year.
- aantny88

He wasn't healthy last year.

They need that Art Ross touch on PP2, in the G-spot.
- Tomahawk

I agree. Having Read, MDZ and MacDonald out there ahead of him doesn't make sense to me.

That's my only big issue. If they wanted to do a Hartnell for Umberger trade, then fine. But why not trade Hartnell for the pick, have CBJ use a CBO on Umberger and have a handshake deal in place? Probably violates the CBA, but that's nothing new.
- jmatchett383

Exactly...I would've preferred they trade Hartnell for a pick. Probably could've got at least a first or second round pick. Then either sign Umberger for way less than his current cap hit, or give a younger player (Laughton, Leier) a shot at the big club.

Sorry if I missed this yesterday, but who is alternate captain other than 17?
- The_Universe

It's Streit. The Flyers apparently had hoped to keep it a secret but head shots of all the players were sent to the media weeks ago, and Simmonds and Streit had A's on the visible part of the sweater. That and the fact they were wearing As in preseason games kind of ruined any suspense. Quick funny story: After the game in Newark, Simmonds tried to act like he wasn't sure yet "if" he'd get the A and someone said, "Wayne, everybody already knows." He grinned.

Wasn't Columbus going to use a compliance buyout on Umberger before the Flyers traded for him? I really liked Hartsy as a team guy and he scored some big goals as a Flyer...shame he couldn't stay on his feet and avoid the dumb penalties. Casualty of the cap ala Scottie Upshall
- aantny88

I think the future cap situation was part of it. But I think leadership and penalty issues were a bigger part of it.

Umberger's been around the block a time or two. I'd give him some regular season games before declaring him a corpse.
- johndewar

I dunno man, Hartnell always used to look fantastic in preseason games. Better to write Umberger off right now to save time.

That's my only big issue. If they wanted to do a Hartnell for Umberger trade, then fine. But why not trade Hartnell for the pick, have CBJ use a CBO on Umberger and have a handshake deal in place? Probably violates the CBA, but that's nothing new.
- jmatchett383

I don't see how it violates the CBA.

I'm with you Bill...my worry is that he didn't look good physically. Goals, assists and points in preseason mean very little and it'd be a shame if he plays poorly after requesting to leave Columbus.
- aantny88

But he's got a Flyers jersey on now. That means he's made of steel, and incapable of getting injured.

I dunno man, Hartnell always used to look fantastic in preseason games. Better to write Umberger off right now to save time.
- Feanor

bust

Exactly...I would've preferred they trade Hartnell for a pick. Probably could've got at least a first or second round pick. Then either sign Umberger for way less than his current cap hit, or give a younger player (Laughton, Leier) a shot at the big club.
- aantny88

I would think that the Flyers tested the market for Hartnell, and were aware of what his value was.

I think the future cap situation was part of it. But I think leadership and penalty issues were a bigger part of it.
- MJL

Flyers trade away good players because of penalties (Hartnell), but keep poor players (Rinaldo) who have penalty issues?

If that's the reason or a main reason, it's laughable.

Flyers trade away good players because of penalties (Hartnell), but keep poor players (Rinaldo) who have penalty issues?

If that's the reason or a main reason, it's laughable.
- bradleyc4

Inescapable truth:

- Hexy/Chief didn't want Hartsy on the team,
- Hexy/Chief wanted Umberger in that trade.

Not sure that's really relevant...I wasn't talking about Hartnell's play this year! Only what I saw in the preseason and last year from Umberger.
- aantny88

Well, I just wanted to see if Hartnell was doing any better. Because IMO he is on the downside of his career as well.

Inescapable truth:

- Hexy/Chief didn't want Hartsy on the team,
- Hexy/Chief wanted Umberger in that trade.
- Tomahawk

And they re-signed Rinaldo to a multi-year deal early.

And they re-signed Rinaldo to a multi-year deal early.
- bradleyc4

They love Rinaldo. I'm sure they can see things in him that we don't. I just hope they're not just "seeing things", if you know what I mean.

And they re-signed Rinaldo to a multi-year deal early.
- bradleyc4

Rinaldo new nickname.... Smith and Barney. That new contract... He earned it!

Flyers trade away good players because of penalties (Hartnell), but keep poor players (Rinaldo) who have penalty issues?

If that's the reason or a main reason, it's laughable.
- bradleyc4

From what I gleaned from comments and interviews, it seems that Rinaldo is going to make an effort to not be that guy, whereas Hartnell was not going to make the effort to stop killing his team with bad penalties.

And either way you slice it, Hartnell penalties were taken, and are taken, at much worse times for the time. IE, during PP, in the offensive zone, and just over all stupid and lazy.

At least Rinaldo's are mostly of the over aggressive stupid kind.

Exactly...I would've preferred they trade Hartnell for a pick. Probably could've got at least a first or second round pick. Then either sign Umberger for way less than his current cap hit, or give a younger player (Laughton, Leier) a shot at the big club.
- aantny88

From who? And sign Umberger to a way less current cap hit how?

Flyers trade away good players because of penalties (Hartnell), but keep poor players (Rinaldo) who have penalty issues?

If that's the reason or a main reason, it's laughable.
- bradleyc4

There is a huge difference between a veteran player who is in the leadership group. And a role player who isn't in the leadership group. It's about a culture. Rinaldo likely doesn't have any influence in the room, while Hartnell likely did. There is no quesiton in my mind that was a big part of the reason for the trade.

As concerning as the Umby-Vinny-Raffl line looks to be, I didn't think they looked "bad" in pre-season. They had a few shifts here and there where they maintained possession in the offensive zone for a bit but just couldn't generate a scoring chance. That feels like lack of chemistry to me and I think they can build on that.

To me Vinny definitely looks better now than he did at this time last year. I hope he holds up.

Inescapable truth:

- Hexy/Chief didn't want Hartsy on the team,
- Hexy/Chief wanted Umberger in that trade.
- Tomahawk

The hideousness of that second statement will haunt my dreams forever!

I don't see how it violates the CBA.
- MJL

I wasn't sure if talking to players on other teams about handshake deals after a future buyout would violate the CBA in any way.

speaking of hartnell where there any other rumors of any other teams of him going too?just hard to believe the best they could do was umberger.