HOLY CRAP JUNE 23 STRIKES AGAIN
BREAKING: The #Flyers have acquired R.J. Umberger in exchange for Scott Hartnell. Details → http://t.co/U0D1lAUBwW pic.twitter.com/E1setFk2yr
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 23, 2014
If you’re counting at home, that’s Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, James van Riemsdyk and Scott Hartnell who have all been traded by the Flyers on June 23. All within three years. WHAT IS THIS DAY
Ok, let’s try to analyze this though: At first glance, given Scott Hartnell’s struggles the last two seasons since signing his big contract with the Flyers, you would assume this is a salary cap move. The Flyers are just clearing space. But no. Hartnell makes $4.75 million for the next five more years. R.J. Umberger makes $4.6 million for the next three years. So this isn’t a cap move.
Make no doubt about it: Hartnell is a better player. Via Extra Skater, here’s a quick statistical comparison of the 2013-14 years.
| 2014-15 all situations | 5 on 5 play while on ice | |||||||||||||||
| Player | Pos. | GP | G | A | P | TOI/60 | S/60 | Sh% | PenD | CF% | CF% rel | GF% | GF% rel | Sh% | Sv% | PDO |
| Scott Hartnell | L | 78 | 20 | 32 | 52 | 16.6 | 9.4 | 0.097 | -1 | 0.543 | 0.062 | 0.584 | 0.124 | 0.079 | 0.936 | 101.5 |
| RJ Umberger | C | 74 | 18 | 16 | 34 | 16 | 6.8 | 0.132 | 7 | 0.464 | -0.045 | 0.465 | -0.072 | 0.079 | 0.923 | 100.2 |
Maybe the Flyers believe Umberger can play well on Claude Giroux’s wing and is a better fit than Hartnell, even though he’s primarily been a center throughout his career. Maybe Columbus is taking some salary back in the trade, although that seems unlikely. At first glance, this isn’t the best, because the 4th round pick in the trade does not reconcile the difference between the two players.
I’m gonna miss Scott Hartnell, man. And damnit, stop talking about Umberger.
