Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers complete a rare trade today in hockey history

The deal went down on December 18, 2007, with the Flyers acquiring Jim Vandermeer from Chicago in exchange for Ben Eager. It was simple, direct, and brutally on brand for both organizations at the time.

Philadelphia was deep into an identity reset under general manager Paul Holmgren. The Flyers already had snarl throughout the lineup, but they wanted a left-shot defender who played mean minutes and protected the crease.

Jim Vandermeer was 27 years old then, drafted 65th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 1997. He brought size, edge, and experience, having logged over 300 NHL games by that point with a reputation for punishing board work.

Chicago, meanwhile, leaned into youth and energy. Ben Eager was 24, drafted 23rd overall by the Flyers in 2003, and already known league-wide for his willingness to drop the gloves without hesitation.

Eager had recorded 164 penalty minutes the season before the trade and was never shy about chirping or finishing checks. The Blackhawks valued that bite as they built a younger, harder-to-play-against roster.

There was something honest about this trade, and fans felt it immediately, because both players knew exactly why they were there and played accordingly.
The Flyers inserted Vandermeer quickly, using him in defensive zone starts and penalty kill work. He finished that season with 86 penalty minutes in Philadelphia, adding muscle without needing spotlight minutes.

Eager found a role in Chicago's bottom six, skating limited minutes but making noise. He later posted a career-high nine goals with the Blackhawks, proof that energy players sometimes surprise when given structure.

This trade barely registered nationally, yet it reflected the era perfectly. Teams still valued fear, response, and deterrence as much as possession metrics.

Looking back, it feels like a transaction that simply does not happen anymore.

Salary caps, speed, and skill have pushed pure enforcers to the margins.
But on this date, Chicago and Philadelphia made a deal rooted in grit, pride, and old-school belief. It remains a snapshot of a harder, louder NHL that many fans still remember fondly.