Fantasy Impact: The Philadelphia Flyers have shipped Scott Hartnell to the Columbus Blue Jackets for R.J. Umberger and a fourth-round draft pick.

The Flyers get: A middling draft pick, $150,000 of cap space, and two years chopped off the term – when we’re speaking of just the business side of the players. In R.J. Umberger, who has three years remaining at $4.5 million, they get a two-way player who can play any forward position and who is a six-time 20-goal scorer. Umberger is a former Flyer and a Pennsylvania native who plays on both special teams units. His game has eroded a little offensively these past two years and is likely now a third-line checker capable of 20 goals and 40 points. Granted, he’ll get a look on the Claude Giroux line and in the off chance that it works out then his production would obviously balloon. But put your money on the experiment failing after three games and that 20-goal, 40-point projection from the third line coming to pass.

The Blue Jackets get: A hard-hitting power forward and seven-time 20-goal scorer, including 37 goals that he tallied in 2011-12. Hartnell’s game has also eroded over the last two years, but not nearly to the extent that Umberger’s has and he certainly has the ability to top 25 goals on his new club. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, Hartnell was at his fiestiest – his three biggest PIM totals came in his first three years with the Flyers. Will he show that kind of spirit again now that he’s joining another new team? I suspect that he will. Think 25 goals, 50 points and 150 penalty minutes – which is a level that he hasn’t reached since 2010.

The Flyers did this deal to make cap space easier to come by next year. If Umberger doesn’t find some of the old magic and they’re not happy with him, they can buy him out next year at his remaining $9 million. Whereas with Hartnell, although they would have the better player, it would be tough to move the $19 million remaining on his salary.

Fantasy Players Impacted: Since this deal is a winger for a winger, the impact will be minimal. Hartnell will lose a few points off his projection (from 55 to 50) but gain in PIM. Umberger will gain a few points (from 38 to 42, give or take). Hartnell being gone means that there is a spot open on the top line (after Umberger fails his opportunity, that is). Put Matt Read first in line for that.

In Columbus, Boone Jenner gets to apprentice behind one of the best. Short term it will hurt his PP opportunity, but long term it should help his character.

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Read

2. Umberger

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. Hartnell

And hey – don’t forget to check in on DobberHockey and DobberProspects for the weekend’s draft coverage and of course – next week’s free agent frenzy.