July 7, 2008 | 12:30pm ET
Umberger inks four-year contract TheFourthPeriod.com
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed restricted free agent center R.J. Umberger to a four-year contract worth $15 million.
Umberger, whom the Blue Jackets acquired last month from the Philadelphia Flyers, will earn $3 million this season, $3.5 million next year, $4 million in 2010-11 and $4.5 million in the final year of his new deal.
Umberger, 26, is a three-year NHL veteran who has registered 49 goals and 67 assists for 116 points with 78 penalty minutes in 228 career games with the Flyers.
"Acquiring R.J. last month was an important first step in our efforts to improve the hockey club this summer and we are pleased that he will be a part of our organization for the next four years," said Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson. "He is a competitive, hard-working player who will add versatility to our top six forwards."
Umberger was Vancouver's first pick, 16th overall, in the 2001 Entry Draft.
