Umberger gets screwed
by Clint Clark on Jun 30, 2009 5:47 PM EDT
Email
Print
Umberger got screwed. It is simple as that. 19 forwards have been invited to Team USA tryouts David Backes (Blues), David Booth (Panthers), Dustin Brown (Kings), Dustin Byfuglien (Blackhawks), Ryan Callahan (Rangers), Chris Drury (Rangers), Scott Gomez (Rangers), Patrick Kane (Blackhawks), Ryan Kesler (Canucks), Phil Kessel (Bruins), Jamie Langenbrunner (Devils), Ryan Malone (Lightning), Kyle Okposo (Islanders), T.J. Oshie (Blues), Zach Parise (Devils), Joe Pavelski (Sharks), Bobby Ryan (Ducks), Paul Stastny (Avalanche).
I can put Umberger over 8 players on that list for either numbers or qualities. It is ridiculous. Backes, Booth, Byfuglien, Callahan, Kesler, Langenbrunner, Malone, Okposo, Pavelski. Although there could be some push back on some of those name, Umberger is at least an equal. Why not make it an even 20?
I'm calling out Brian Burke on this. If it were anyone else, (beside MacLean) I probably wouldn't bother. Brian Burke is the GM of Team USA. Brian Burke has been known as a blunt, angry old man. These facts alone force me to look at this scenario.
Burke drafted Umberger. Umberger didn't sign. Umberger is not on the invite list. Is this possible? I wouldn't put it past Brian Burke. I can tell that some young pups are being invited, that is likely to get them some experience and exposure.
Umberger is a top level, grinding scoring winger with guts and heart. He has shown up huge in the playoffs the last two years. I'd expect nothing less in the Olympics. He is almost an identical player to Ryan Malone.
He should be the captain of the team before not making the roster. I'm outraged, are you?
FIRE AWAY! Give Burke an earful
7 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Agree Agree Agree
This is a horrible horrible stuff by Team USA. Wish them all of the best but RJ deserves a spot no matter who is on that team. His heart and desire alone gets him on the team. He wouldn’t even need talent. Brain Burke is a few words i can’t say on here. One of the worst front office personal i’ve ever seen. No question
Ryan
Definitely agree!
Drury, and Langenbrunner are two of the oldest fossils in the league and they get invited over Umberger?!?!?! Burke needs to go!!
"be where you are when you're there"
From what I understand, it is possible to still end up on the team even if you aren’t invited to this camp. That said, it’s an embarrassment that Umberger was not included. Unless he declined (which I wouldn’t believe until he explicitly says so), there is no excuse for Umberger to not be invited. He’s a fierce competitor and frankly an underrated player, especially when the stakes are raised. He’s got leadership skills that few possess.
Did the person that sent out the invites not watch any of the playoffs the last two seasons?
The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog
Follow me on Twitter
Quote
According to Portzline from puck-rakers…….“It’s something you dream of, representing your country in the Olympics,” Umberger said. "I would definitely go if I were asked……..thats a direct quote from RJ. Enough said.
Oh wow… I didn’t realize Portzline had written something about the situation. Reading the post now.
Complete embarrassment for Team USA and Brian Burke.
As @jmposton on twitter said: “Keep in mind, Brian Burke not only backed Todd Bertuzzi after the Steve Moore incident, he signed him in Anaheim. If Bertuzzi were American, Burke would invite HIM to camp. Burke has no class.”
The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog
Follow me on Twitter
by Andy Newman on Jun 30, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Umberger is NOT that big of a snub.
Umberger is a solid player but you make him out to be a top line forward. the guy has never made it to 60 pts… now im not saying he is a bad player cause he isn’t he just isn’t great. he is solid.
Ryan Kesler if you recall was a Selke Finalist. Malone has the Size that Umberger doesn’t have and is a bit grittier. all of those players are just as good if not better then Umberger. the only ones i could say MIGHT be worth kicking out for umberger is Gomez ( had 58 pts this year and is considered a bad year for him) and Drury who had a pretty bad year but has great leadership abilities.
Opkoso didn’t have as productive year as Umberger but he is also very young and very talented and will get better.
Oshie had a more productive year then umberger as well ( you have to remember he played in far fewer games)
Byfuglien wasn’t quite as productive as Umberger but he is very versatile he can play both forward and Defense ( part of the reason his production isn’t as high is because he also played Defense for Chicago.)
so looking at all these players and doing some research Umberger getting left out is not nearly as Ludicris as people may think. the United States should have a solid team ( not as good as probably Russia Sweden Czech Slovakia and Canada) but a good team. Umberger isn’t that big of a snub
and by the way i am in no way a fan of Brian Burke. i acutally think he is overrated as a GM and a bit of a narssasistic A hole…
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on The Cannon
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Central Standings
Blue Jackets Schedule
Next 5 Games
Minnesota
|
Tue 02/07 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Dallas
|
Thu 02/09 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
@
Minnesota
|
Sat 02/11 | 8:00 PM EST |
|
Anaheim
|
Sun 02/12 | 6:00 PM EST |
|
St. Louis
|
Tue 02/14 | 7:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Anaheim
|
Fri 02/03 | OT - W 3 - 2 |
|
@
Los Angeles
|
Wed 02/01 | L 2 - 3 |
|
@
San Jose
|
Tue 01/31 | L 0 - 6 |
|
@
Tampa Bay
|
Tue 01/24 | L 2 - 4 |
|
@
Nashville
|
Mon 01/23 | L 1 - 4 |
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Saturday’s Three Stars: Reimer, Vokoun post shutouts; St. Louis nets hat trick
- Fight Video: Ilya Kovalchuk KOs Flyers’ Brayden Schenn with nasty right hook
- Penguins’ Brooks Orpik launches Daniel Paille with massive hit (Video)
- Penguins, Bruins face their challenges in Eastern Conference showdown
- Olli Jokinen’s slump-buster is a Big Mac meal from McDonalds (Video)
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
