Dissecting a Rumor: Flyers Talking with Columbus

Don’t the Jackets need a puckmoving defenseman, like Carle? I’d hate to see the Flyers move anyone off their roster now (with the exception of Bartulis, Carcillo, Shelley or Zherdev). About the only guy I’d be willing to shake up the roster for would be, oddly enough, Umberger himself.

I guess I’m saying I kind of hope this rumor is false.

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Feb 13, 2011 9:47 AM EST reply actions

The rumor is just that the Flyers were talking with Columbus, and it got to the point where Umberger was asked his opinion.

Coburn is my conclusion on who was discussed. That’s in large part because talks fell apart. The only other person I can see talked about is Bartulis.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 13, 2011 10:06 AM EST up reply actions

A solid conclusion based on him talking to RJ, for sure.

I’ve missed RJ terribly since we got rid of him, but I doubt they are keen on moving him. I loved Mason in his first season, and would not mind seeing him here at all. Him and bob for the foreseeable future would be just fine with me. But trading someone like Coburn for goaltending isn’t what we need to do at the moment. Maybe setting the stage for offseason movement?

I don’t really want Chris Clark. Pahlsson maybe. 52.5% faceoffs wouldn’t hurt us at all. Not exactly an offensive horse, but throw him with Richie and Nodl and man is that a shutdown line.

by Derek F on Feb 13, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions

We agree. Mason would be very nice, probably not worth the cost. Pahlsson would be very nice, but Voracek would be better.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 13, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I would love to have RJ back, I hope it gets done in a palatable way. I would think Coburn’s stock would be pretty high right now, considering his exemplary play in last years playoffs. Actually, his stock with me has never been higher, considering the snarl he showed against Skinner the other night!

Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it.

by Jody_Shelley's_Frankenstein on Feb 13, 2011 10:11 AM EST reply actions

I like Coburn a lot. I think he should be a part of a the future, but I can see how a decent deal could be made. Maybe Voracek and Tyutin for Coburn. The salaries are close. Maybe a little Phantom’s junk thrown in with Coburn if the value is not right. I would rather move Carle instead, but that deal helps the flyers in that they down grade defense a little but upgrade winger strength considerably.

by psuhockey on Feb 13, 2011 10:19 AM EST reply actions

According to the Columbus Dispatch, (http://www.dispatch.com/live/content…s.html?sid=101), the flyers were interested in Jake Voracek.

by psuhockey on Feb 13, 2011 10:24 AM EST reply actions

That would be awesome.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 13, 2011 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

Should’ve kept reading the comments before I replied about Pahlsson! That would be cool, for sure. Trading for cheap youth instead of overpriced veterans.. what a concept!!

by Derek F on Feb 13, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

Haha, yes…sorry everyone…I see now that GM Howson talked to Umberger for info on Flyers’ players…I am obviously not fully awake. Carry on.

Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it.

by Jody_Shelley's_Frankenstein on Feb 13, 2011 10:28 AM EST reply actions

Dear Homer,

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it

by Phuck The Penguins on Feb 13, 2011 10:31 AM EST reply actions

That’s my line of thinking also.

by 92-74-99-96 on Feb 13, 2011 10:33 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think he understands that. Remember, we have no idea who it was. If it was Coburn, Holmgren obviously said “no”.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 13, 2011 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

But what if the Jackets would accept draft picks for Voracek? I’d be all for that deal.

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Feb 13, 2011 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

Depends what picks, but chances are I’d agree.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 13, 2011 11:11 AM EST up reply actions

I have a problem with the Coburn conclusion. Umberger might have been giving an opinion of Homlgren himself, like what type of guy he is. Additionally, he could have been asking about the untouchables to compare what the Bluejackets though versus what Homer says about the players (this would be an attempt to learn more about Holmgren, something which is done in business negotiations all the time).

Lastly, how is Umbergers good friends still on the Flyers. If he talks to Ritchie or Carter extensively, the Bluejackets might have been indirectly asking about Zherdev (for example) and asking RJ Umberger to disclose what Richards or Cater have been saying about them. In other words, they might be getting a read on a Flyer that RJ didn’t play with, but who is obviously discussed amongst friends.

by NickFotiu4HOF on Feb 13, 2011 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree about your first paragraph – the rumor specifically says “on some of the Flyers that may have been offered” – but your second one is a legitimate thought.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 13, 2011 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

That’s some good work there, ~~Lou~~ Geoff.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Feb 13, 2011 11:54 AM EST reply actions

Thanks. I’ve since had people come to me with names like Oskars Bartulis, Darroll Powe, Andreas Nodl, Marc-Andre Bourdon, and Michael Leighton.

But here’s the thing: 1) No way those players fetch anybody like Steve Mason or Jake Voracek; 2) None of those players played with R.J. Umberger. Sure, Bartulis and Powe were on the Phantoms when Umberger was in Philadelphia. I doubt that’s enough to have Umberger form an opinion; and 3) Columbus needs defensemen. Bourdon may be good and intriguing to Columbus, but Umberger doesn’t know him.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 13, 2011 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry, Leighton played 4 games in 06-07 with Umberger.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 13, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

Please no

We have a great D now and we don’t need to lose a very good D in Coburn. As soon as I saw this rumor I instantly began having flashbacks of Bartulis and Kraijcik(sp) getting raped every time they stepped on the ice last playoffs.

The only thing i would like to see happen is getting a cheap, forward, maybe a vet who won’t cost us much in cash or picks to play with Richards.

by SkookFlyerfan on Feb 13, 2011 12:02 PM EST reply actions

From the Columbus Dispatch

I apologize if I miss embedding the link; I’ll try again, if needed:

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2011/02/13/howson-waits-for-trade-to-fit-jackets-needs.html?sid=101

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Feb 13, 2011 12:13 PM EST reply actions

Thanks. I didn’t see it until psuhockey linked it (but failed).

Jake Voracek would be a stud. But he’d require a lot in return. Like Braydon Coburn.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Feb 13, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

For what it’s worth -

I think we could trade anybody on D not named Pronger/Timonen. It could work because if your top 4 is Pronger/Carle/Timonen/Meszaros for the playoffs you are probably in great shape. Your 3rd pair of Bartulis (I suppose) and O’Donnell get sparse minutes anyway. We basically played with 4 dmen last year in the playoffs. The problem then was that the 3rd pair was simply unusable, and we’ve fixed that. Does that mean we should trade Coburn and turn the clock back? Not necessarily. I do think it could work, though. For a depth winger, I’d pass 10 out of 10 times.

by jrphi2002 on Feb 13, 2011 1:30 PM EST reply actions