Before the season the expectations for Umberger were probably in the 12-15 goal range, he's most likely going to reach that.
- PLindbergh31

That was about the range I expeceted as well but the first few months it looked like 5 was going to be to much to ask.

every Crosby, Malkin, and Kane there are tons of top 5 picks that did not turn their franchises around.
- missingmike

How dare you speak ill of the Luke Schenn and Thomas Hickey's of the world.

not a fan.

dude has always struck me as a little puke. unless that changes, i dont care what sweater he has on.

and goc was a respectable fourth line guy.
- stayinthefnnet

don't go saying that on the pens thread

Nihilists? (frank) me. Say what you will about the tenets of National Socialism, but its at least an ethos.
- Jsaquella

belated +1

He's become a legitimate NHL player over the past month and a half or so. I'm still not saying it was a good trade, but he's at least gone from abysmal to slightly below adequate.
- jmatchett383

This is a serious question, as I'm a bit confused...

You state he's a legitimate NHL player, then he's slightly below adequate. Do you mean you expected more from him? Because to me a legitimate NHL player would be an adequate player, IMO.

I will say for his deal and history as a player, you'd have to expect a bit more than he's shown. Also, I agree that he was a zombie the first few months of the season, but he has turned it around lately.

Umberger's revival has been nice to see. He's no world beater, but at least he's bringing some positives to the table now.

This is a serious question, as I'm a bit confused...

You state he's a legitimate NHL player, then he's slightly below adequate. Do you mean you expected more from him? Because to me a legitimate NHL player would be an adequate player, IMO.

I will say for his deal and history as a player, you'd have to expect a bit more than he's shown. Also, I agree that he was a zombie the first few months of the season, but he has turned it around lately.
- VladDrag

He's below adequate for what was expected of him. But I think you can be both. Just because you're a legitimate NHL player does not mean you can do your job adequately, due mostly to the number of teams and therefore roster spots.

For instance, Mike Richards is a legit NHL player (despite being in the AHL), but I don't think "adequate" describes how he's played this season.

Yes, but he was also expected to be a good 2-way player who was a good skater and could help out on the PK. His game has been void of that.
- jmatchett383

He was expected to bring more. i think Read has to be one of the biggest disappointments. 3 goals. Last night he played well but he just seems ot have more games where he is invisible compared to good ones.

Also i thought the Schenn/Del Zotto pair played well last night. Yes I know Del zotto got on the wrong side for the 2nd goal but I thought they played well.

He was expected to bring more. i think Read has to be one of the biggest disappointments. 3 goals. Last night he played well but he just seems ot have more games where he is invisible compared to good ones.

Also i thought the Schenn/Del Zotto pair played well last night. Yes I know Del zotto got on the wrong side for the 2nd goal but I thought they played well.
- J35Bacher

Read was on his horse last night for sure but he's still only focused on setting up linemates. There was a great play in the 3rd I believe when Read came off of the boards into the slot in great shooting position and passed it back to the point for a shot that never got though. Hopefully with confidence his decision-making skills on the ice will evolve.

The draft will take care of itself, regardless of where they pick. Getting this team on track and playing consistent hockey is absolutely what they need. That is also part of building for the future. Not to mention evaluating the team, players, and coaches for the future.
- MJL

I am far more concerned with getting a 2nd rounder at the deadline than improving our odds at macdavid. Let's be honest, the flyers are not going to win the lottery

And that Roenick guy, who also said multiple times during the All Star coverage that Columbus fans were upset with Nash for leaving as a free agent.
- Feanor

Yeah.. I really don't know what JR is thinking calling out mason.. too many shots to the head.

He's become a legitimate NHL player over the past month and a half or so. I'm still not saying it was a good trade, but he's at least gone from abysmal to slightly below adequate.
- jmatchett383

he had a really good game last night. I know he only scored once, but he had several great opportunities. If he keeps this up, the trade won't look as bad.

He was expected to bring more. i think Read has to be one of the biggest disappointments. 3 goals. Last night he played well but he just seems ot have more games where he is invisible compared to good ones.

Also i thought the Schenn/Del Zotto pair played well last night. Yes I know Del zotto got on the wrong side for the 2nd goal but I thought they played well.
- J35Bacher

Also schenn got burned after his turnover on their 3rd goal. I thought I heard the yotes have scored 1 goal or less in 8 of their last 10 games, yet the flyers still needed 4 to beat this team

Also schenn got burned after his turnover on their 3rd goal. I thought I heard the yotes have scored 1 goal or less in 8 of their last 10 games, yet the flyers still needed 4 to beat this team
- Just5

To be fair, Ray looked incredibly rusty giving up those 2 on 4 shots. First one was pathetic. Discount those, and they scored 1 including in the shootout.

Read was on his horse last night for sure but he's still only focused on setting up linemates. There was a great play in the 3rd I believe when Read came off of the boards into the slot in great shooting position and passed it back to the point for a shot that never got though. Hopefully with confidence his decision-making skills on the ice will evolve.
- Pixote Andolini

I actually think Read was one of the primary reasons Umberger seemed to have a bounty of chances last night.

He was expected to bring more. i think Read has to be one of the biggest disappointments. 3 goals. Last night he played well but he just seems ot have more games where he is invisible compared to good ones.

Also i thought the Schenn/Del Zotto pair played well last night. Yes I know Del zotto got on the wrong side for the 2nd goal but I thought they played well.
- J35Bacher

And Schenn was a guilty party on goal # 3

Edit: Leight

If not for Smith last night would have been a blow out.
- Pixote Andolini

His glove save on G was ridiculous. G was at full speed and just blasted that shot.. I could barely see the puck on the replay.

He's below adequate for what was expected of him. But I think you can be both. Just because you're a legitimate NHL player does not mean you can do your job adequately, due mostly to the number of teams and therefore roster spots.

For instance, Mike Richards is a legit NHL player (despite being in the AHL), but I don't think "adequate" describes how he's played this season.
- jmatchett383

That's fair; I'll take that.

In my view, if one is a legitimate X, then they can do job X adequately.

I understand you point and agree, only I would describe it differently. Semantics, I guess

And that Roenick guy, who also said multiple times during the All Star coverage that Columbus fans were upset with Nash for leaving as a free agent.
- Feanor

you know you would think after saying it Friday night someone would have gotten in his ear and reminded him Nash was traded. Yes he asked to be traded but none the less, he was TRADED. I wanted to tweet it to him

Read was on his horse last night for sure but he's still only focused on setting up linemates. There was a great play in the 3rd I believe when Read came off of the boards into the slot in great shooting position and passed it back to the point for a shot that never got though. Hopefully with confidence his decision-making skills on the ice will evolve.
- Pixote Andolini

Yep.. I remember that play..passed up a great shot opportunity. I think you're right.. once his confidence is back, he'll start to improve decisions.

I actually think Read was one of the primary reasons Umberger seemed to have a bounty of chances last night.
- PhillySportsGuy

That was one of the best games Read has played. He skated very well and always seemed to be around puck. The Hamburglar was set up at least 3-4 times. He did finish one.. So I will give him a little bit of credit

He was expected to bring more. i think Read has to be one of the biggest disappointments. 3 goals. Last night he played well but he just seems ot have more games where he is invisible compared to good ones.

Also i thought the Schenn/Del Zotto pair played well last night. Yes I know Del zotto got on the wrong side for the 2nd goal but I thought they played well.
- J35Bacher

They played well overall. Bit, don't forget that they also got burned for the breakaway goal too.

Good GOD Schenn is slow.

He was expected to bring more. i think Read has to be one of the biggest disappointments. 3 goals. Last night he played well but he just seems ot have more games where he is invisible compared to good ones.

Also i thought the Schenn/Del Zotto pair played well last night. Yes I know Del zotto got on the wrong side for the 2nd goal but I thought they played well.
- J35Bacher

Schenn also let a player behind him for the breakaway 3rd goal by the Coyotes.

That really sucked. Schenn lost track of where his guy was and wasn't urgent enough about getting back, and 30 seconds after scoring we give up a goal.

Umberger's revival has been nice to see. He's no world beater, but at least he's bringing some positives to the table now.
- BulliesPhan87

Him and MDZ both picked the corner with their shots. It was good to see.

He was expected to bring more. i think Read has to be one of the biggest disappointments. 3 goals. Last night he played well but he just seems ot have more games where he is invisible compared to good ones.

Also i thought the Schenn/Del Zotto pair played well last night. Yes I know Del zotto got on the wrong side for the 2nd goal but I thought they played well.
- J35Bacher

I dunno, I saw some pretty glaring defensive breakdowns from Schenn last night. And I'm a huge defenseman fan. So I'm not in love with that pair. Looks ok on paper, has me chewing my fingernails in practice.