Flyers trade Umberger to Blue Jackets
OTTAWA (AP) - June 20, 2008 The Flyers received the Blue Jackets' first-round pick (19th
overall) and Columbus' third-round selection (67th overall).
Philadelphia also sent its fourth-round choice (No. 119) with
Umberger to Columbus.
Umberger, 25, can be a restricted free agent on July 1 and the
Flyers were having difficulty re-signing him because of the salary
cap. Philadelphia is trying to create room to reach a deal with
another restricted free agent, forward Jeff Carter.
Umberger had his best season as a professional in 2007-08 with
Philadelphia, recording 50 points (13 goals, 37 assists) in 74
games. In the playoffs, Umberger led the Flyers in goals with 10
and was second in points with 15 in 17 games.
Umberger will be in familiar surroundings in Columbus, having
attended Ohio State University. He will also be reunited with Blue
Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock, who coached him for parts of two
seasons with the Flyers.
Originally drafted in the first round in 2002 by the Vancouver
Canucks, Umberger never signed with the Canucks, sitting out an
entire season due to a contract dispute. When Vancouver couldn't
sign him, they traded him to the New York Rangers, who never
attempted to sign him. He was signed by the Flyers in 2004.
