Blue Jackets acquire Umberger for draft picks

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded two picks at the NHL draft in Ottawa on Friday for versatile forward R.J. Umberger from the Philadelphia Flyers.

Philadelphia received the 19th overall pick as well as the third-round pick (67th overall) from the Blue Jackets. The Flyers also sent their fourth-round pick (119th overall) to the Blue Jackets in the deal.

Cap concerns played a factor in the deal for Philadelphia, which is attempting to reach a deal with restricted free agent forward Jeff Carter. Umberger, 25, is poised to become a restricted free agent on July 1, which would have made it difficult for the Flyers to re-sign him.

Umberger posted the best numbers of his NHL career in 2007-08, with 13 goals and 37 assists in 74 games for the Flyers. The forward really turned heads in the playoffs, leading the Flyers in goals (10) and finishing second on the team with 15 points in 17 post-season games.

He was drafted in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks in 2002, but sat out the entire season because of a contract dispute. He was subsequently dealt to the Rangers, who also didn't sign him, before he finally signed a deal with the Flyers in 2004.

Umberger has ties to Columbus as he attended Ohio State University. He's also familiar with Blue Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock, who was his coach in Philadelphia for parts of two seasons.