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Calgary, AB • Canada • 31 Years Old • Male
The Calgary Flames pulled the trigger on a minor deal today, acquiring defenceman Jim Vandermeer from the Flyers for a 3rd round pick in 2009.

I've said for a while now that the Flames need some better secondary D, as I have a distaste for Anders Eriksson and David Hale. To be honest though, this trade is puzzling to me.

This is the second straight year that Darryl Sutter has given up a 3rd round pick for defensive depth (last year he did the same thing with Hale). Vandermeer's stats seem to indicate he's better than Hale, but who isn't? He has three goals and 15 points with Chicago and Philadelphia. Admittedly I don't know a whole lot about the guy but I'm bound to be skeptical about a guy that has been traded twice in one season.

Phillyfan12 described Vandermeer to me as "a no. 8 or 9 defenceman on a crappy defensive team". Is this guy really worth a 3rd?

As I said, though, I don't know enough about the guy to make an independent judgement. Flames fans, are you as skeptical as I am?
Filed Under:   flames   flyers  
February 20, 2008 7:46 PM ET | Delete
Great move by Sutter as Vandermeer is a solid defenseman who can score on the PP. He's from the Red Deer area (Caroline) and played for the Rebels so the Sutter's are well versed with his game. Just remains to be seen for me whether he'll play with Regehr on the 2nd pair as Sarich has been struggling or if he'll pair with Hale on the 3rd pair. Either way, I just hope it leads to Eriksson sitting.
February 20, 2008 7:53 PM ET | Delete
A pretty meaningless deal, in my opinion. Another ordinary (or even below average) D-man to join the 4 or 5 we already have. After Dion and Regher, we certainly have a huge drop off in talent on the back end. Vandermeer does little to address that situation. Even if he is an improvement or Eriksson or Hale, it can't be a significant upgrade, by any stretch. Unless this is a precursor to something else, I don't really understand it.
February 20, 2008 7:54 PM ET | Delete
he's a 6-7 guy at best. if he is not asked to do too much, he can be effective. stevens paired him w/ timonen and it was painful to watch most of the time because he's not a first pairing type. keenan will not suffer his mistakes for long so he better take advantage of this shot. it was not a great move, but maybe a good move, IMO.
February 20, 2008 8:06 PM ET | Delete
hell be good as a 5-6 guy with limited minutes...
February 20, 2008 8:30 PM ET | Delete
I think Vandy is better than he looked during his recent stint with the Flyers, primarily because he was asked to do too much in Philly due to the manlove Stevens had for him (and the lack of quality depth on defense). There were times when he made obvious mistakes in critical situations (D zone turnovers, failure to cover open men in scoring position etc.), some of which directly resulted in goals against. Unfortunately this seemed to happen far too often. As others have mentioned, I would expect he'd be passable as a third pairing guy getting limited minutes, but if I'm his coach, I don't put him out in defensive situations and don't look to him to produce offense either, so basically he's a guy there to give other guys a breather...anything more and he might hurt you. I wish him the best with the Flames but fans, don't expect much. I hope he proves me wrong.
February 20, 2008 8:33 PM ET | Delete
you got hosed...he is of limited ability and mobility and his mistakes end up in your net. Sorry to hear that for your Flames. SYF
February 20, 2008 9:02 PM ET | Delete
MSLEPP I am sorry but your analysis of Vandermeers abilities are very inaccurate.
February 20, 2008 9:09 PM ET | Delete
Seems like this is a precursor to a bigger trade. IMO, Hale is going to be packaged for a top 4 defenseman.
February 20, 2008 10:51 PM ET | Delete
I'm sorry for your team's loss.
February 20, 2008 11:17 PM ET | Delete
I'm on board with "redlighting". A number 4 through 7 d-man will be moved in a package deal soon and this is just ensuring a little depth and maybe even a little salary cap room if who I think will get moved does get moved.
February 21, 2008 12:28 AM ET | Delete
Good minor move-he's tough,s o he belongs in the west; not "fancy" enough to play in the east.
February 21, 2008 1:22 AM ET | Delete
he is a solid 5th or 6th defender, who you can put out on the PP when he is on his game.. he turns the puck over alot and is one of the main reasons the flyers are on a 8 game losing steakhe needs to play about 10-14 mins of 5 on 5 hockey a game with a few shifts on the PP
February 21, 2008 4:24 AM ET | Delete
This is def. leading to a bigger deal, we already have 7 dmen without vanderqueer.
February 21, 2008 11:04 AM ET | Delete
it could be leading to a bigger deal because Vandy isn't really a solid defender, however he's got a better goalie behind him now in Kipper so it could make him look like a better d-man.
February 21, 2008 12:10 PM ET | Delete
More importantly what is the lastest with Tanguay , Flames fans. ?
February 21, 2008 1:01 PM ET | Delete
well i think it is just sutter setting up another trade i think we can wave good by to either eriksson or warrner as much as i like warrner he is to injury prone to rely on him
February 21, 2008 1:34 PM ET | Delete
He's not as bad as s lot of these Flyers fans are making him out to be. He wasn't used right in Philly-he was on the first pairing and got way too much ice time. As a depth defenseman in Calgary, he's not a bad addition.
February 21, 2008 2:29 PM ET | Delete
tanguay has a NTC so its doubtful he's going anywhere....he already publicly stated that he wants to stay in Calgary....I guess anything can happen though.
February 21, 2008 2:36 PM ET | Delete
You never knew what JV would show up. When he's on his game, you really don't notice him. He plays a bit physical and likes to hit, but Dennis Gauthier he is not.However, and unfortunately for most of his second stint in Philly this year, he played sloppy D and his turnovers wound up in the net far too often. When the Habs scored with a second left in the period, the writing was on the wall.
February 21, 2008 11:22 PM ET | Delete
He is very inconsistent and prone to some horrible brain cramps. He can be effective for stretches and when you least expect it, a horrible decision will leave one in the back of your net.
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