Day one of the NHL free agency period has come and gone but not without a flurry of signings. The first few signings of the day were players re-signing with their previous teams, but then the big names started moving. Guys like Brian Campbell, Brian Rolston, Jose Theodore, Olaf Kolzig, and Wade Redden made the headlines as the biggest deals. In all there were 48 signings made, up 21 from the 2007 offseason.A few huge names that were not signed are rumored to be going places. Pittsburgh C Evgeni Malkin is reportedly close to signing a new deal with the Penguins. A report out of Canada has Pittsburgh pursuing Jaromir Jagr.
Edmonton has reportedly put forth a big offer to Marian Hossa and Mats Sundin was offered a contract from four different teams, Vancouver, Montreal, New York Rangers, and Toronto. Sundin has not made a decision yet and is home in Sweden considering his options.
Here’s a recap of some of the biggest signings and a listing of the others.
The Chicago Blackhawks made the biggest move in inking defenseman Brian Campbell for 8 years at $7.14 million per season. They also added goaltender Christobal Huet and it looks like they are going to move veteran goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to free up some cap room.
The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their shopping spree as they signed three more players. Leading the way was goaltender Olaf Kolzig who signed for one year. Adam Hall and Radim Vrbata both signed for three-year deals and David Koci signed a one year-deal.
While Olaf Kolzig left Washington, the Capitals were quick to sign a replacement in Jose Theodore. Inking defenseman Mike Green was the biggest deal of the day for the Caps though. Returning with Green is his 18 league leading goals on defense and more explosive young talent.
The New York Rangers opened up their checkbook and signed a much-needed defenseman in Wade Redden for six years and $39 million.
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Martin Brodeur should finally have an offense in front of him once again with the signings the New Jersey Devils made. Their biggest deal was signing forward Brian Rolston for four years, followed by Bobby Holik for one year. Bryce Salvador and Jay Pandolfo were two players that resigned with the Devils.
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed a trio of players; forward Niklas Hagman for four years, defenseman Jeff Finger for four years, and veteran goaltender Curtis Joseph. Joseph is returning to the Maple Leafs for the first time since 2002, which is when the whole Toronto goalie escapade began.
The Defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings resigned defenseman Brad Stuart for four years. They also filled the backup goaltending position with Ty Conklin, who signed a one-year contract.
Anaheim Ducks
Corey Perry
Boston Bruins
C Michael Ryder
C Blake Wheeler
Buffalo Sabres
G Patrick Lalime
Carolina Hurricanes
D Anton Babchuk
Colorado Avalanche
RW Darcy Tucker
G Andrew Raycroft
Columbus Blue Jackets
D Mike Commodore
Florida Panthers
LW Cory Stillman
Minnesota Wild
RW Craig Weller
LW Andrew Brunette
G Barry Brust
Montreal Canadiens
LW Andrei Kostitsyn
Nashville Predators
G Drew MacIntyre
New York Islanders
D Mark Streit
New York Rangers
LW Patrick Rissmiller
LW Aaron Voros
G Stephen Valiquette
Ottawa Senators
G Alex Auld
Pittsburgh Penguins
D Mark Eaton
RW Eric Godard
LW Pascal Dupuis
Philadelphia Flyers
C Glen Metropolit
C Nate Raduns
D Ossi Vaananen
Phoenix Coyotes
D Kurt Sauer
LW Todd Fedoruk
Vancouver Canucks
F Darcy Hordichuk
F Kyle Wellwood
Among the mass signings were five trades:
NAS receives F Ryan Jones, 2009 2nd Round draft pick
MINN receives D Marek Zidlicky
LA receives D Denis Gauthier, 2010 2nd Round draft pick
PHI receives D Patrick Hersley, LW Ned Lukacevic
CAL receives LW Rene Borque
CHI receives Future 2nd Round draft pick
CAR receives D Joni Pitkanen
EDM receives LW Erik Cole
EDM receives C Gilbert Brule
CLB receives LW Raffi Torres
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