Dave Isaac

@davegisaac

R.J. Umberger had a feeling his phone would ring soon.

The 32-year-old forward who was once a big part of the Columbus Blue Jackets saw his minutes dwindle and could see young talent in the rear-view window, ready for more opportunity with the team.

Scott Hartnell, on the other hand, probably wasn't expecting the call, although he had more control in the situation. The All-Star left wing, who had just completed the first of a six-year, $28.5 million extension with the Flyers, also had a no-move clause.

He signed off on the trade that sent him to Columbus in exchange for Umberger and a 2015 fourth-round draft pick.

In seven years with the Flyers, the 32-year-old Hartnell had 157 goals and 326 points in 517 games. He was on the Flyers' top line with Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek for most of last season.

Umberger, a Flyer from 2005 to 2008, probably won't fill that role in his second tour of duty. The versatile forward, who has three years left with a $4.6 million cap hit, thought last year was going great in Columbus until after the Olympics, when his minutes dwindled and his power-play time vanished.

"I never really got a reason why, but I do think I have a lot to give," said Umberger, who had 18 goals in 74 games last season. "I've always kept myself in great shape. I still consider myself pretty young. I can still skate well. My testing times and all my skating tests this year were the fastest in my career. To me, I've still got a lot left in the tank."

The Flyers are banking on that, also. In fact, Umberger's quick feet are what made him so attractive to the Flyers.

"The No. 1 thing was we wanted to get quicker up front," said Ron Hextall after making his first trade as Flyers general manager. "Whenever you make a deal there's a lot of considerations that come into the mix, but I guess the one driving the bus was quickness."

Umberger had 120 goals and 250 points in 445 games with the Blue Jackets in six seasons. He began his career with three years in Philadelphia, where he had 49 goals and 116 points in 228 games.

"R.J. is a versatile guy who can play all positions," coach Craig Berube said in a press release. "He's a good penalty killer who skates well. He's a veteran who has been around a long time and knows how to play the game properly. He'll be used in a lot of different areas. I think, with our team, it is nice to have a real versatile guy like him."

Still, the deal is a head-scratcher because Hartnell and Umberger have almost the same cap hit and Umberger probably won't play on the top line. Although Hextall said Umberger is capable of filling any scoring void Hartnell leaves, the GM isn't sure what his new player's role will be.

"I have no idea," Hextall said. "That's up to the coach. The good thing about R.J. is that he can play up there. He can play on your checking line. He can play both wings. He can play the middle, but we view him as more of a winger. He can play up and down your lineup on both sides. That's part of the reason he was attractive to us."

Hextall has about $4.36 million to play with and a couple holes to fill. He has said that re-signing Brayden Schenn is his top priority and also needs to find a backup goaltender, which might mean re-signing Ray Emery.

The week of the draft always tends to be one in which there a higher volume of trades. Perhaps Hextall makes another this week and the logic to this one becomes clearer. For now, it just looks like yet another former Flyer has come home.

"It's a new start to my career," Umberger said. "I'm very anxious. I'm comfortable. I know a couple of the guys that played here in Columbus. That's exciting. I'm looking forward to it.

"Honestly, this is a team that is just waiting to win another Stanley Cup and I want to be a part of that."

Reach Dave Isaac at disaac@courierpostonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @davegisaac.