The Hextall era is off to an inauspicious start to say the least. They rid themselves of an albatross who can play for an albatross that can't play.

If the question is simply how does this make the Flyers better? It doesn't in the short term.
- PLindbergh31

Who's to say Umberger definitely can't play? Didn't he score 18 goals to Hartnell's 20? I don't know what Umberger's usage was like (aside from being a scratch in the playoffs), but Hartnell had the benefit of riding the top line with Giroux.

eklund called it!!!!


wait...sorry...i meant eklund didnt call it.

my bad

Exactly.

Start judging your GM's summer work at about the 20 game mark of the upcoming season.
- Atomic Wedgie

This seems like a GM who wanted to get rid of a player at any cost or a GM who coveted a certain player way more than anyone else.

Old city will never be the same

In some ways, it definitely is.
- johndewar

IMO, this is a big step forward in terms of discipline, fitness, focus and general attention to detail.

Awesome, is paul ranheim in still playing? I'd love to get two jerseys back in the fold
- funmaster18

Just so you guys all know.. I am calling it now.

Game 7 next year, Flyers vs CBJ in the first round... Hartnell with the game winner while The Umbergerler is in the box.

Gonna miss him. As much as some people hate him.. he was a constant for the Flyers. He has an infectious personality, but also a good leader. Thats tough to find.

Hartnell was year in and year out on the most productive line. Face changed, players came and went, but Hartnells line was always the most productive. I will miss him.

Old city will never be the same
- funmaster18

Depends on whether Hartnell goes into hiding for the next few days.

There will either be another addition on the wings or they're moving Read up in the lineup.
- hereticpride

yeah a big Evander Kane trade

I just dont see how this sets us up any better. It helps us in 3-5 years when we dont have to carry Hartnell's deal, but it seems like they could have done better if they wanted to clear salary. I don't understand how they couldn't have traded Hartnell for a less expensive 3rd/4th liner.
- PhillySportsGuy

Because teams really don't want that contract. A team like Columbus works on a budget so now they don't have to use funds to pay a plyer using the CBO. It is a swap of contracts. Also with Columbus young they get someone to provide some leadership. As goofy as Hartnell was he was always kbnow to be a good locker room guy

Who's to say Umberger definitely can't play? Didn't he score 18 goals to Hartnell's 20? I don't know what Umberger's usage was like (aside from being a scratch in the playoffs), but Hartnell had the benefit of riding the top line with Giroux.
- BulliesPhan87

This.

Umberger was a healthy scratch and makes $4.6M over the next 3 seasons. Coaches don't continually scratch effective, veteran players.
- PhillySportsGuy

just cause he couldn't beat out Jared Boll for 4th line minutes doesn't mean ...

wait I think you have me on this one



I think it was a good time to move on from Hartnell.
Could they have made a better trade? Probably but who knows.

I am OK with it.

Feel bad for MOAT, I know he loved Hartsy.

This frees the slot spot on PP1 for Schenn hopefully. Hopefully, a winger to compliment Coots and Read. Hartnell was invisible a lot of the time under Berube.

I have a feeling this is not Hexy's only move.

Who's to say Umberger definitely can't play? Didn't he score 18 goals to Hartnell's 20? I don't know what Umberger's usage was like (aside from being a scratch in the playoffs), but Hartnell had the benefit of riding the top line with Giroux.
- BulliesPhan87

What does it say about Hartnell's contract, and what does it say about the Flyers that they just traded a player who they have played on their top line for the last few years, for a player making the same money who was scratched in the playoffs?

IMO, this is a big step forward in terms of discipline, fitness, focus and general attention to detail.
- Tomahawk

True. I can see Berube wanting to punch his lights out and RJ will be a good soldier here.

My concern isn't jettisoning Hartnell as much as the return. I just don't think RJ has anything left in the tank.

Or maybe RJ just wasn't a fit anymore in Columbus. I just feel like they should have gotten more for Hartnell.

The Hextall era is off to an inauspicious start to say the least. They rid themselves of an albatross who can play for an albatross that can't play.

If the question is simply how does this make the Flyers better? It doesn't in the short term.
- PLindbergh31

Hart ell has had his ups and downs. He is always really streaky. I liked him, but can live without him. His contract will really suck in a year or two. We'll see what his production in CBus is this year as well. There is a lot of credence to what people are saying about RJ being a little more versatile. Not the point producer Hartsy is, but I'm not going to judge Hexy on this deal alone. Let's see what else happens. If he gets rid if VL or some how lands the #1 pick, we will all be playing a different tune.

I like the deal...never a fan of Hartsy I feel his numbers were a product of the line he was playing on, Umberger never really fit into Columbus and I am one that feel he will fit in better here in Philly...However, I dont think anyone can judge this until we realize what was behind it..Are there more trades to follow? Is this just getting rid of final two years while he has some value? I have to see what comes of the next few days, but this is an ok deal to me.
- nonpoint22

Im sorry but this is bullpoop, "a product of the line he was on" no he was on multiple line conbinations and a player every team needs when he's on his game. A guy that goes to the dirty areas of the ice and gets the geeasy goals, agitates the other team and throws down if need be. I think a lot of you guys who dont like him focus too much in the weaker areas of his game as if every player doesnt have those.

This frees the slot spot on PP1 for Schenn hopefully. Hopefully, a winger to compliment Coots and Read. Hartnell was invisible a lot of the time under Berube.

I have a feeling this is not Hexy's only move.
- PhiFaninEdm

For sure we are not done. just can't even think what or who is next , its exciting and nerve wrecking for sure.

Because teams really don't want that contract. A team like Columbus works on a budget so now they don't have to use funds to pay a plyer using the CBO. It is a swap of contracts. Also with Columbus young they get someone to provide some leadership. As goofy as Hartnell was he was always kbnow to be a good locker room guy
- J35Bacher

You dont have to convince me why this deal is good for Columbus

This seems like a GM who wanted to get rid of a player at any cost or a GM who coveted a certain player way more than anyone else.
- PhillySportsGuy

As Hartnell waived his NTC, I'm guessing the former.

Depends on whether Hartnell goes into hiding for the next few days.
- tangent_man

Is the Jeff Carter chalet in Sea Isle available?

I guess were going all in for Conner MacDavid

Just so you guys all know.. I am calling it now.

Game 7 next year, Flyers vs CBJ in the first round... Hartnell with the game winner while The Umbergerler is in the box.

Gonna miss him. As much as some people hate him.. he was a constant for the Flyers. He has an infectious personality, but also a good leader. Thats tough to find.

Hartnell was year in and year out on the most productive line. Face changed, players came and went, but Hartnells line was always the most productive. I will miss him.
- jak521

I'm pretty sure his utter lack of consistency is why he fell out of favor with many Flyers fans.

i wonder why hartst waived his no trade

This.
- Tomahawk

Worst Corsi on the Jackets of any player who played at least 30 games. He'll look great with VL on the 4th line.

"They may be a -36, but they each have 20 goals this year"