Sharks Add Jim Vandermeer and Michal Handzus

The San Jose Sharks have announced that they have signed defenseman Jim Vandermeer to a one-year contract worth $1 million and center Michal Handzus to a two-year contract worth $5 million. The deal will pay him $2.5 million per year. In 62 games last season with the Edmonton Oilers, Vandermeer had two goals and 12 assists for 14 points and 74 penalty minutes, while Handzus had 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points in all 82 games with the Los Angeles Kings. Vandermeer isn't a bad depth signing for the Sharks, as he will bring lots of grit, toughness, and defensive depth to the blueline next season. Handzus brings plenty of two-way skill, playmaking ability, and size to the team. Look for him to center the third line in San Jose next season.

Oilers Acquire Vandermeer from Coyotes for O'Sullivan

The Edmonton Oilers announced today that they have acquired defenseman Jim Vandermeer from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for left wing Patrick O'Sullivan. Both players were placed on waivers yesterday and cleared today before the trade was made. The Coyotes are expected to buy out O'Sullivan's contract, while the Oilers will retain Vandermeer. In 62 games last season with the Coyotes, Vandermeer had four goals and eight assists for 12 points and 60 penalty minutes. O'Sullivan appeared in 73 games with the Oilers last season, scoring 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points. This is essentially a salary dumping trade for both teams. The Oilers will save about $1 million by trading away O'Sullivan and acquiring Vandermeer, while the Coyotes will buy out O'Sullivan for close to $1 million and end up cutting out $2 million in salary. Vandermeer will bring plenty of veteran, defensive depth to the Oilers blueline next season, as well as plenty of toughness. Despite having a lackluster year in 2009-10, O'Sullivan still has some offensive upside and could be a decent fit for the right price on a team seeking depth down the wing.

Cheechoo, Kotalik Among NHL Players Currently on Waivers

On Monday, the following NHL players have been placed on waivers with the purpose of buying out their contracts. The players will have until noon tomorrow to be claimed by other teams. If they go unclaimed, they will likely have their contracts bought out and become unrestricted free agents.

Jonathan Cheechoo, RW - Ottawa
Ville Koistinen, D - Florida
Ales Kotalik, RW - Calgary
Petteri Nokelainen, C - Phoenix
Jim Vandermeer, D - Phoenix

I will be surprised if any of these players are claimed off waivers, as any team interested in acquiring them would be better off waiting until they are bought out and signing them to new, more affordable contracts. Cheechoo currently carries a $3.5 million price tag, and with only five goals and 14 points in 61 games last season, will likely keep any team from wanting to claim him. Kotalik, who is currently set to earn $3 million during each of the next two seasons, was wildly inconsistent last season with the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames, managing only 11 goals and 27 points in 71 games. His inconsistent play, lack of scoring, and salary will likely keep him from going claimed.

Flames Acquire Prust from Coyotes for Vandermeer

The Calgary Flames re-acquired center Brandon Prust from the Phoenix Coyotes during day two of the 2009 Draft in exchange for defenseman Jim Vandermeer. Prust was dealt to the Coyotes in March with Matthew Lombardi in exchange for Olli Jokinen. In 36 games last season with the Flames and Coyotes, Prust scored one goal and two assists for three points and 108 penalty minutes. In 45 games last season with the Flames, Vandermeer scored one goal and six assists for seven points and 108 penalty minutes. He missed a total of 37 games last season after suffering two separate ankle injuries. This is a decent move for the Flames in two ways. First, Prust is a very physical forward who will provide lots of toughness to Clgary's checking lines. Second, it helps the Flames cut some salary, as Vandermeer makes $2.3 million per season on his current contract. Cutting his salary helps free up some cap space for the Flames to sign Jay Bouwmeester. Vandermeer gives the Coyotes plenty of toughness, grit, and defensive depth on their blueline, not to mention veteran experience.