Well, it's been a long 12 hours with many unexpected signings. Here's a breakdown of some of the more important signings that went down the 12 hours after noon July 1st...

Mike Green: Re-signs with Washington Capitals- 4 years, $21M ($5.25M cap hit)

A very solid signing by the Caps. One of highest scoring defensemen last season, and a clear #1 d-man for them.

Bryce Salvador: Re-signs with New Jersey Devils- 4 years, $11.6M ($2.9M cap hit)

Not really sold on this one, but with a relatively cheap contract, it can't hurt to have another defensemen locked up.

Jay Pandolfo: Re-signs with New Jersey Devils- 3 years, $7.5M ($2.5M cap hit)

Can't go wrong with this one- Pandolfo has always been a great defensive forward that can shutdown and relentlessly shadow the oponents top forward. Fits well on a defense first Devils team.

Brad Stuart: Re-signs with Detroit Red Wings- 4 years, $15M ($3.75M cap hit)

Great signing by the Wings- Stuart is a very well balanced blueliner that can hit. Much cheaper than expected, probably gave the Wings a discount as he does not want his family to move and he wants another run at the Cup.

Pascal Dupis: Re-signs with Pittsburgh Penguins- 3 years, $4.2M ($1.4M cap hit)

Good signing- Dupis was a factor since they aquired him, using his speed effectively on offense and on the penalty kill. He also played on the line with Crosby and Hossa, so that shows how he is definetely appropriate for this fast-paced offensive team.

Correy Perry: Re-signs with Anaheim Ducks- 5 years, $26.625M ($5.325M cap hit)

Anaheim's second leading scorer last season at age 23. This kid will likely become a star in the league and will develop nicely with Getzlaf.

Curtis Joseph: Signs with Toronto Maple Leafs- 1 year, $700,000 ($.7M cap hit)

Well Toronto definetely can't go wrong with a goalie signing. CuJo recieves backup money in this contract, but he could easily be the starter

Jose Theodore: Signs with Wasington Capitals- 2 years, $9M ($4.5M cap hit)

I guess Washington wasn't satisfied with Huet, who was aquired at the trade deadline. Theodore should provide an upgrade in the goaltending department.

Ty Conklin- Signs with Detroit Red Wings- 1 year, $700,000 ($.7M cap hit)

Another good Detroit signing- should be an aquedate backup to Osgood, as he showed with the Penguins that he can play and possibly steal games.

Cristobal Huet- Signs with Chicago Blackhawks- 4 years, $16.875M ($5.625M cap hit)

Maybe he was too much for the Caps to sign, or maybe he is being over-paid- either way, the Hawks get a much needed upgrade in net.

Andrei Kostitsyn- Re-signs with Montreal Canadiens- 3 years, $9.75M ($3.25 cap hit)

He seems like the perfect fit for the Habs. The young gun-slinger has explosive talent that is sure to light up the Montreal crowd. Hopefully his increased contract doesn't bring pressure onto the young, rising star

Cory Stillman- Signs with Florida Panthers- 4 years, $10.6M ($3.53M cap hit)

Well Florida adressed the problem that they created by trading away their capitan Olli Jokinen- a goal scorer. He won't be able to do it himself though, and at age 34, he will need some younger players to lead and carry the burden- Stillman has proven to be somewhat injury prone and won't be able to handle all those minutes.

Olaf Kolzig- Signs with the Tampa Bay Lightning- 1 year, $1.5M + bonuses ($1.5M cap hit + possible bonuses)

The all-time Cap will play for a different NHL team for the first time in his carrer. At age 38, he definetely brings the veteran leadership to young goalie Mike Smith. The question is, who gets the starting role? And will either address the team's desperate need of consistent goaltending?

Brian Campbell- Signs with Chicago Blackhawks- 8 years, $56.8M ($7.14 cap hit)

Well, everyone knew Campbell would recieve a blockbuster deal that could reach $7M per, it was just a question of who had the cap space. Whichever team won the bidding for Campbell would overpay- Campbell is an overrated defensemen who has not yet proven himself play consistenly on the defensive side. However, with the constant rising cap, and a player that is just hitting his prime, this contract may not seem as extreme as it does at first glance.

Blake Wheeler- Signs with Boston Bruins- Entry level contract

The highly praised draft pick that Phoenix failed to make a deal with has signed with a team that has much young offensive talent. A good signing for the B's that should fit well on a team that continues to grow

Bobby Holik- Signs with New Jersey Devils- 1 year, $2.5M ($2.5M cap hit)

The former Devil re-joins this team  that has changed much since his departure. A solid veteran leader that provies the Devils with some needed grit

Brian Rolston- Signs with New Jersey Devils- 4 years, $20M ($5M cap hit)

A consistent 30-goal scorer in the last 3 seasons, Rolston has showed that he still has some gas left at age 35. But was a $5M cap hit really worth it for a player in the downfall of his career? But even if he can't score golas on a defensive team, his defensive instincts will always be there and be another solid PKer for the Devils.

Mike Commodore- Signs with Columbus Blue Jackets- 5 years, $18.75M ($3.75M cap hit)

Commodore is a gritty defenseman that brings a positive locker room presence. Could be a little pricey for a player with little skill, but the simplicity of his game may prove more beneficial to a rather simple team

Wade Redden- Signs with New York Rangers- 6 years, $39M ($6.5M cap hit)

Wade adresses one desperate need of the Rangers- a power-player quarterback. However, this is a very pricey contract that takes up room that could have been used to sign a much needed scoring winger or a needed hard-hitting defenseman. He has been rather unsuccessful in his past years in Ottawa, but a change of scenery may be enough for him to reach his full potential. However, the Rangers now have a clear #1 defenseman after 3 years of inconsistent blueliners

Michal Rozival- Re-signs with New York Rangers- 4 years, $20M ($5M cap hit)

Rozival has arguably been the Rangers best defenseman over the past three years, but has been inconsistent. He has scored many PP goals, but has failed to been an effective quarterback. His defensive play is overall solid, but he tends to take many unnessesary penalties. The biggest question is- if you are going to sign Wade Redden, who is basically an upgrade of Rozival, why make this deal? Again, this money should have been used to sign a scoring winger or hard-hitting defenseman. Rozival was overpaid on a team that did not need to make this deal.

Mike Streit- Signs with New York Islanders- 5 years, 20.4M ($4.1 cap hit)

A solid offensive defenseman that can be effective with his point shot. He can QB the PP and move the puck nicely. A solid deal for a solid player on a team that can benefit from his puck-movement abilities. However, his defense will need to be better if he wants to be effective.

Michael Ryder- Signs with Boston Bruins- 3 years, $12M ($4M cap hit)

Another young offensive player signed by the Bruins. He should fit well on this team. A $4M cap hit may be a little much for a player who is not truly a 1st line winger, but on this team the price was right.

Top players that still need to be signed:

-Jaromir Jagr- Recieved an offer from the Penguins (rumored to be $10M over 2 years with bonuses), but it's hard to see him return there after the treatment he recieved every time he touched the puck at Melon Arena in a different uniform. He may retire from the NHL and return to Europe and join the Russian Super League, or play for his home in Czech Republic. My prediction- Russia

-Mats Sundin- He may return to Europe and play for the Sweedish Elite League. Or he may sign with any team in the league. My prediction- Western team

-Marian Hossa- Looks like his stint with the Pens is done, as they recently signed Michael Ryder as a cheaper replacement, and they Pens are already tied up with contracts with Crosby, Malkin, and soon Fluery. My prediction- Columbus

-Markus Naslund- Could sign anywhere. My prediction- Vancouver

-Peter Forsberg- Who knows? With all his injuries, signing him would be a risk. He may be done with the NHL for all we know. My prediction- Colorado

-Joe Sakic- His two options- Colarado or retire. My prediction- Colorado

-Sean Avery- The agitator that made his name with the Rangers and quickly became a fan-favorite may already be done, as the Rangers have their hands tied with only arbout $9M in cap space left after signing huge deals with Redden and Rozival, and that money will go towards wingers. But him going to any other team just wouldn't feel right. My prediction- Rangers

-Teepo Numinen- The veteran defenseman needs a home. My prediction- Buffalo

-Chris Chelios- Is the 45 year old veteran that has seen an extensive amount of playoff appearances finally done? My prediction- retires

-Rob Blake- Who knows where this season vet will go?

-Kristian Huselius- The offensive winger who is just hitting his prime is a possible 30-goal scorer. My prediction- Rangers 

Look forward to a less-exciting, but still exciting, day 2