Fansided

Scott Hartnell ‘shocked’ to be traded by Flyers

By Cory Buck

Apr 13, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Scott Hartnell (19) talks to linesman Pierre Racicot (65) and referee Paul Devorski (10) after being ejected from the game against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Hurricanes won 6-5 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Scott Hartnell (19) talks to linesman Pierre Racicot (65) and referee Paul Devorski (10) after being ejected from the game against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Hurricanes won 6-5 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Scott Hartnell didn’t want to be traded, but now that he is, he’s ready for a new challenge on a new team that clearly wants him more than the Philadelphia Flyers did. CSN Philly reports that Hartnell felt ‘shocked and upset’ when he learned the news of the trade that sent him to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for RJ Umberger and a 4th round draft pick.

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The trade could not have happened had Scott Hartnell not waived his no-movement clause to go to the Blue Jackets. Hartnell told CSN about his decision, “It was not easy. A lot of emotions. At the end of the day, I decided that Columbus is an up-and-coming team. They have young, great players. It was the right decision for me to go to a team that was very excited to have me.”

Hartnell made sure to ask his potential new bosses plenty of questions — most of which were focused on the team’s drive to win. The 32-year-old power forward just signed a six-year deal last summer that carries an AAV of $4.75M and will provide a major boost of veteran experience for a young up-and-coming Columbus squad that earned its first two playoff wins last season before bowing out to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round.

Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen noted that winning was Hartnell’s biggest concern before waiving his contractual rights to make the move. “The question was ‘can we win, can we be better in the future? Why?’ That was the hard question that he wanted to ask me … that’s all he wanted to do in the future. He wanted to go to a team that he feels has a chance to win the Stanley Cup.”

Now the Blue Jackets and Hartnell will find out if winning is in the cards when the two unite.

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