Trade Rumors

Trade rumors are fun except, I suppose, for the players whose names are mentioned.  Nevertheless, I came across a couple of rumors recently that are interesting and that may be plausible. 

A few weeks ago, I heard a rumor that had RJ Umberger going to Nashville for defenseman Ryan Suter.  This may have some credibility because it could be difficult for the Flyers to re-sign Umberger (a restricted free agent) for his asking price, which should be fairly high since he had a strong playoffs, along with the other free agents they need to sign (like Jeff Carter) and then have money to sign a puck-moving defenseman.  Suter is a young, offensive-minded defenseman who has really good potential.  He was a first round draft pick (7th overall) in 2003.  He had 31 points in 76 games last season. 

Yahoo Sports had another rumor involving Umberger or Scottie Upshall going to Ottawa for defenseman Andrej Mezaros.  Again, Umberger’s name surfaces as he is seen as a good commodity right now.  His trade value is pretty high.  Upshall had an up and down season, spending some time in coach John Stevens’ dog house.  He can play a great hitting game with lots of intensity but this sometimes leads to bad penalties.  Mezaros, like Suter, is an offensive-minded defenseman who put up similar numbers as Suter last season: 9 goals and 27 assists for 36 points in 82 games.  He was a first round draft pick (24th overall) in 2004.   He has some size at 6’2 and 218 pounds. 

I could see either of these happening although I suspect Ottawa would want more than just Upshall for Mezaros.  With Bryan Murray as the Senators GM and his brother as the Flyers assistant coach, there may be a connection there that could make this reality.  I would part with Umberger for Mezaros.  Although I really like RJ as a player, the Flyers are pretty strong at forward, especially if Gagne returns to form and Claude Giroux makes the team.  Mezaros is a young, solid defenseman who would look good on our power play.

The Flyers’ recent acquisition of minor-league defenseman Danny Syvret from the Oilers for minor-league forward Ryan Potulny may give indication of the Flyers’ understanding of their need for mobile, puck-moving defensemen.  Keep an eye on this rumor over the next couple of weeks.