Flyers sacrifice Umberger for young defenseman in NHL draft

0 Comments | Philadelphia Daily News, June, 2008 | by ED MORAN morane@phillynews.com

IT WOULDN'T have seemed like a move the Flyers would make after the way R.J. Umberger tore up the Montreal Canadiens on the way to the Eastern Conference final.

In 22 playoff games, Umberger was a force, scoring 11 goals and five assists - eight of those coming against Montreal - and moving all through the lineup to fill in where ever he was needed.

But in the NHL of the salary cap and unsigned free-agent players, things change fast.

In one of two moves that brought two defensemen to the Flyers, the rights to Umberger, 26, were dealt to Columbus for the 19th pick overall, along with a pick in the third round, reuniting Umberger with former Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock.

In another deal late last night, made just before they were to select in the 27th slot,...