[cbuscru77]

I am going to be just listing all the CBJ rumors as they come in over the weekend...so here we go!!!
Rumors are spreading in Ottawa that Umberger, who attended Ohio State, could be headed to the Blue Jackets at some point this weekend. No word on what the Blue Jackets would be trading to Philly.
The Flyers just re-upped with center Jeff Carter, according to Sportsnet.ca. Carter, who could have been a restricted free agent on July 1, signed for three years and at least $15 million.
Perhaps this makes it easy for Philly to move Umberger, who is not the No. 1 center lots of Blue Jackets are wanting, but he would significantly upgrade the position.
Umberger had 13 goals and a career-high 50 points this season in 71 regular-season games for Philadelphia, plus 10-5-15 in 17 playoff games.
Stay tuned.

[cbuscru77]

Here's something to kick around, something that might not sit too well with a few fans: the Blue Jackets might not be able to get a true No. 1 center. They may have to settle for two good No. 2s.
It looks like the San Jose Sharks are going to let defenseman Brian Campbell walk via free agency. Five days ago, they let every GM in the NHL know that Campbell's negotiating rights were available, but got no takers. My guess is the asking price was too steep. If Campbell walks, the Sharks will have enough room in their budget to keep center Patrick Marleau.
Even so, I keep hearing the Sharks haven't talked trade with the Blue Jackets recently because they want to get higher in the draft order than No. 6.
People can say "Howson needs to do more!" But he can't make that No. 6 a No. 3 by snapping his fingers, and he's not going to do something crazy just to make a splash.
"I'd like to make a splash, sure," Howson said on Thursday. "But I'm not going to make a bad decision just to make a splash. I mean, we have games to play in October."
Here's a possible scenario:
Part 1: The Flyers signed center Jeff Carter to a contract extension late Thursday night. Once that happened, I started hearing that R.J. Umberger could be headed out the door, possibly to Columbus. Umberger isn't a No. 1 -- not even close -- but he's better than any center the Blue Jackets have on their roster, for sure. (Brassard is probably going to be that guy, but has to prove he can stick in the NHL first).
Part 2: Calgary is considered the favorite to acquire center Olli Jokinen this weekend. Makes sense, as Flames coach Mike Keenan had Jokinen with the Panthers. If that's the case, the Flames will likely be willing to part with speedy center Matt Lombardi. Keep in mind, Lombardi has great success playing next to Rick Nash at the Worlds two years ago. He's one of the NHL's fastest skaters, and he draws the other teams' attention whenever he's on the ice. One could make the case that that's all Nash really needs ... space.
Obviously, this isn't the dream scenario as the Blue Jackets would draw it up. But I wouldn't say it's the end of the world if it plays out like this.
If the Blue Jackets kept their No. 6 and 19 picks, added Umberger and Lombardi and, possibly, defensemen Pavel Kubina, it wouldn't be such a bad weekend, right?
-- Aaron Portzline
aportzline@dispatch.com
Posted by Aaron Portzline on June 20, 2008 10:46 AM | Permalink

[cbuscru77]

this is from myself just being observant, but I see the Flyers are in the 19th spot instead of the CBJ so I would say it's safe to say Umberger is a Blue Jacket. Also the Filatov pick was the obvious pick because those darn Leaf's stole Schenn (thanks Blueandwhite)

[blueandwhite]

no problem - and yeah, Umberger is a Blue jacket - I'm getting scared of this Columbus team now.