Special game Friday for Hartnell, Umberger

While the Flyers' Steve Mason and Jake Voracek said Friday's game against their former team, Columbus, was just another matchup on the schedule, two other players had different sentiments: Scott Hartnell and R.J. Umberger, wingers who were traded for each other last June in a salary-cap-related deal.

"I'm a pretty emotional person, and to see the guys, and to be in that arena and not go in the home dressing room, and see the trainers and coaches and everyone that I love will be tough," Hartnell said on a conference call Wednesday from Columbus. "But obviously I've had this game on my calendar for a while . . . and I'm going to enjoy it."

The Flyers, winners of three in a row, will host an injury-riddled Blue Jackets team that has lost nine straight.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Umberger, the Flyers' struggling right winger, after practice Wednesday in Voorhees. "I think the first one is a lot of fun; a lot of emotion built up, and I think we're getting them at a good time. Our team is playing well."

Besides being a productive player, Hartnell - who says he especially misses not being around his best friend, injured Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen - had an outgoing personality and was one of the locker-room leaders.

"Hartsy and I became great friends last year," Mason said. "When I first got here after I got traded, he was one of the first guys who kind of showed me around and went out to dinners, and we ended up hanging out a ton last season. There weren't many singles guys on the team, so Hartsy and I would hang around and go out to dinner and kill the days after practice. We're still great friends."

"He was kind of like the mayor around here," winger Wayne Simmonds said. "You had a problem, you go to him . . . but I think the other guys have stepped up."

Hartnell, known for his charity work with the HartnellDown Foundation, is hopeful of receiving a warm reception.

"I think I played my heart out every night I put on a Flyers jersey and I think they'll respect that," he said.

Hartnell spent lots of time last season on a line with Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek, players off to impressive starts this year.

"You could probably throw a 15-year-old on that line and they'd be able to get points," Hartnell cracked.

As for Umberger, coach Craig Berube said he is putting too much pressure on himself and needs to relax.

Facing the Blue Jackets "helps you get rid of any negative energy you were feeling," Umberger said. "You focus on this game. I'm excited for this game, and it definitely provides a motivational jump for me."

Umberger, who asked to be traded after last season, has three points, nine penalty minutes, and a minus-6 rating in 14 games, while Hartnell has 14 points, 23 penalty minutes, and a minus-6 rating in 15 games.

@BroadStBull