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Free agency is open, meaning NHL owners and general managers are spending big in hopes of finding that mi sing piece to their teams' puzzles. While the big fish that was Steven Stamkos is no longer headed to the open market, the list of players eligible to be signed was pretty deep, particularly at forward. It didn't take long for them to start changing addre ses. NHL Free Agency 2016 Among the top free agents available Friday, Milan Lucic, Loui Erik son, Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, David Backes and Andrew Ladd topped the list up front. Defensemen of note include Dan Hamhuis, Jason Demers and Kris Ru sell. At the goaltending position, James Reimer appears to be the top prize on the market. All of those players, with the exception of Demers and Ru sell had been signed as Erik Gustafsson Jersey Day 1 reached its conclusion. Demers was one of the first to go on Day 2, though. There weren't a ton of big names on the list, but plenty of veterans that will help the teams they are going to. But as is always the case in free agency, the prices can get pretty high as the market thins out. Last year, we saw GMs get pretty sensible on what was considered a pretty weak market. This year's UFA cla s was a little stronger, so the competition boosted the dollar amount and term some of these players commanded. After a flurry of activity on the first day, here's a look at all of the biggest signings from Day 1 and beyond, as we'll be keeping this up to date as more players sign throughout the offseason. All contract figures below . * - Denotes re-signing Note: Players without dollar amount are likely minor league players. Anaheim Ducks Mason Raymond, LW -- 1 year, $675,000 Nate Guenin, D -- 1 year, $600,000 Jared Boll, RW -- 2 years, $1.8 million ($900,000 AAV) Jeff Schultz, D -- 1 year Korbinian Holzer*, D -- 1 year, $700,000 Stefan Noesen*, RW -- $600,000 Antoine Vermette, C -- 2 years, #3.5 million ($1.75 million AAV) Arizona Coyotes Jamie McGinn, LW -- 3 years, $10 million ($3.33 million AAV) Klas Dahlbeck*, D -- 1 year, $750,000 Kevin Connauton*, D -- 2 years, $2 million ($1 million AAV) Justin Peters, G -- 1 year Ryan White, C/W -- 1 year, $1 million Jarred Tinordi*, D -- 1 year, $700,000 Garret Ro s, LW -- 1 year Jamie McBain, D -- 1 year, $600,000 Chris Mueller, C -- 1 year Shane Doan*, RW -- 1 year, $3.876 million Luke Schenn, D -- 2 years, $2.5 million ($1.25 million) Connor Murphy*, D -- 6 years, $23.1 million ($3.85 million AAV) Michael Stone*, D -- 1 year, $4 million Radim Vrbata, RW -- 1 year, $1 million Boston Bruins David Backes, C/W -- 5 years, $30 million ($6 million AAV) Instant Analysis: It's pretty hard to believe Backes is no longer with the Blues, but he'll be going to a team that puts a high value on his style of play. The 32-year-old forward had 45 points last season, his lowest total in a full season since 2007-08. That said, Backes still brings value as a two-way forward who can play at center or wing and still has a lot of snarl in his game. However, losing Loui Erik son, who has more scoring potential and is younger doesn't seem like the Bruins get better with this deal. John-Michael Liles, D -- 1 year, $2 million Anton Khudobin, G -- 2 years, $2.4 million ($1.2 million AAV) Tommy Cro s*, D -- 1 year Tyler Randell*, RW -- 1 year Riley Nash, C/W -- 2 years, $1.8 million ($900,000 AAV) Tim Schaller, C -- 1 year Alex Grant, D -- 1 year Colin Miller*, D -- 2 years, $2 million ($1 million AAV) Joe Morrow*, D -- 1 year, $800,000 Chris Casto*, D -- 1 year Brian Ferlin*, RW -- 1 year Dominic Moore, C -- 1 year, $900,000 Buffalo Sabres Kyle Okposo, RW -- 7 years, $42 million ($6 million AAV) Instant Analysis: The Sabres were one of the teams that wanted Steven Stamkos, but they still managed to boost their scoring in free agency. Okposo was arguably the top forward available in terms of where he's at in his career and what he's shown so far. He could play on the team's top six and push lower-scoring wingers down the lineup. With some power in his game, he helps the Sabres' offense get a little tougher to manage in the offensive zone. Going from John Tavares to Jack Eichel (or Ryan O'Reilly) will be a drop off, but not so dramatic that Okposo should be impacted significantly. Justin Falk, D -- 1 year Taylor Fedun, D -- 1 year Anders Nil son, G -- 1 year, $1 million Derek Grant, C -- 1 year Marcus Foligno*, LW -- 1 year, $2.25 million Daniel Catenacci, C -- 1 year Jason Kasdorf*, G -- 2 years Eric Burgdoerfer, D -- 1 year Calgary Flames Troy Brouwer, RW -- 4 years, $18 million ($4.5 million AAV) Instant Analysis: One of the heroes of the Blues' playoff run last year, Brouwer looked like a player who appeared ripe for an overpayment. However, based on term and what he brings, this is not a huge overpayment. He's 30 years old, provides some secondary scoring and makes the Flames bigger. It's a bigger commitment to a likely third-line player, but a fair raise for a player who was making $3.6 million per season on his last contract. He also won a Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010, which is an added bonus. Sean Monahan*, C -- 7 years, $44.1 million ($6.3 million AAV) Instant analysis: With Monahan signed, the Flames cleared a major hurdle. They have one left in RFA winger Johnny Gaudreau, but Monahan is a huge part of this team's future. The 21-year-old has more points than any player from his draft cla s and the 80 goals he's scored over his first three years suggests an incredibly bright future. Full rundown on Monahan's deal . Chad Johnson, G -- 1 year, $1.7 million Linden Vey, C/W -- 1 year, $700,000 Tyler Wotherspoon*, D -- 1 year Carolina Hurricanes Viktor Stalberg, LW -- 1 year, $1.5 million Andrew Miller, C -- 1 year Lee Stempniak, RW -- 2 years, $5 million ($2.5 million AAV) Matt Tennyson, D -- 1 year Victor Rask*, C -- 6 years, $24 million ($4 million AAV) Keegan Lowe*, D -- 1 year Brody Sutter*, C -- 1 year Brendean Woods*, LW -- 1 year Dennis Robertson*, D -- 1 year Ryan Murphy*, D -- 2 years, $1.575 million ($787,500 AAV) Chicago Blackhawks Brian Campbell, D -- 1 year, $2.25 million Instant Analysis: Chicago is somewhat lucky that Campbell was looking for comfort over money. A talented offensive defenseman and positive po se sion player, Campbell remains extremely effective at 37 years old. He made no secret of his hope to return to the team he helped win a Stanley Cup in 2010. The cap-strapped Hawks land a top-four Dman for bottom-pairing money. This will make them better in a tough cap situation. Pierre-Cedric Labrie, LW -- 1 year Trevor Carrick, C -- 1 year Spencer Abbott, LW -- 1 year Jordin Tootoo, RW -- 1 year, $750,000 Mark McNeill*, RW -- 1 year Colorado Avalanche Nathan MacKinnon*, C -- 7 years, $44.1 million ($6.3 million AAV) Instant Analysis: MacKinnon is only 20 years old and he's already one of the Avalanche's best players. The former No. 1 overall pick should be just that for a long time, too. After a mini sophomore slump, MacKinnon put up 52 points in 72 games last season. His explosive speed and nose for the net makes him one of the more exciting young players in the league. The Avs are buying up three of MacKinnon's UFA-eligible years with this deal and with a $6.3 million annual average, there's a good chance his performance outshines the value of his contract. This is a smart long-term extension for a team that typically won't be spending to the cap. Tyson Barrie*, D -- 4 years, $22,000 ($5.5 million AAV) Instant Analysis Austin Czarnik Jersey |
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