Jackets' Umberger To Skate With Gaborik: R.J. Umberger will line up as the other winger on Marian Gaborik's line in Gaborik's Blue Jackets' debut on Thursday, the Columbus Dispatch reports. (Updated 4/4/13)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/19/13).
Fantasy Analysis
R.J. Umberger's started to come on recently after a brutal start to the season, and his reward is a spot alongside the Jackets' newest star. The weak link in the new line could be young center Ryan Johansen, but coach Todd Richards won't be afraid to shuffle things around if the unit doesn't click right away. (Updated 4/4/13).
03/20/2013 14:09 Oliver Ekman-Larsson doing some heavy lifting for the Coyotes
Pucks and Numbers is a weekly statistical look at what's happening around the NHL. This week: Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and how he's quickly becoming one of the best players in the league at his position.
03/12/2013 22:06 Raymond's lone SO goal, Luongo's play lead Canucks
Mason Raymond scored the only goal in the shootout, and seldom-used Roberto Luongo stopped 26 shots through overtime to lead the Vancouver Canucks past the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Tuesday night.
03/10/2013 20:27 Blue Jackets upend Wings again, winning streak at five
Ryan Johansen and Matt Calvert scored in the shootout and the streaking Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Sunday to complete a home-and-home sweep.
03/09/2013 16:58 Jackets beat Wings again; Bobrovsky earns first shutout
Sergei Bobrovsky had 29 saves in his first career shutout, and Cam Atkinson and Nick Foligno took advantage of Detroit giveaways to score goals in leading the suddenly hot Columbus Blue Jackets to a 3-0 victory over the Red Wings on Saturday.
R.J. Umberger had his worst season as a Blue Jacket last year, scoring 20 goals but totaling only 40 points, and, despite being the consummate team player, even he looked disgruntled at times by the direction the club had taken. With Rick Nash now gone, the team will likely try to re-brand itself as a scrappy, physical club, a style of shinny that should be a perfect fit for Umberger, but if he decides he'd like to follow his former teammate to greener pastures, there's no guarantee he'll play up to his usual 25 goal, 55-60 point level. (Updated 8/14/12)
