Day 1 of Free Agency Roundup: Notable Names

Free agency has begun. Many big-name players have either left for a new set of surroundings, or stayed where they were playing. Some teams have made signings with lesser known players, but I created this slideshow to recap all the big names signed on Day 1 of free agency. Sorry if your new team player is not on the list. 21 slides in all.

Jay Bouwmeester

I know he wasn't signed on July 1st, but he was still the most sought after defenseman in this year's free agent pool. His rights were traded to Calgary, and they negotiated a deal on Tuesday.

He played his entire career in Florida, before signing a five-year deal worth $6.68 million a year.

Henrik and Daniel Sedin

After demanding an extremely long-term deal, the twin sensations in Vancouver have decided to stay put for a while. They both signed identical five-year contracts worth $30.5 million. As a result, the next player left Vancouver.

Mattias Ohlund

He could not be payed sufficiently by Vancouver, and therefore left for Tampa Bay. He signed a 7-year deal worth $24.5 million.

Marian Hossa

He is easily the most sought after free agent on the market this summer. So sought after, that he signed a 12-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks at around $62.8 million. It will be at $5.2 million a year. Although this is a significant pay cut over a year, he signed for 12 years!

Craig Anderson

The former Panther backup has been launched into a starting job with the Colorado Avalanche. He had been the backup to Thomas Vokoun, but showed streaks of brilliance which landed him a three-year $3.65 million dollar contract.

Ty Conklin

He will play in St. Louis next year. The Blues will be his sixth team in five years in the NHL. Although this time around he has signed a two-year deal worth $1.3 million a year.

Dwayne Roloson

Roloson will become the new backup goalie to Rick DiPietro this year. He signed with the Isles for $5 million over two years. He has been great at times and terrible at times, but could be Islanders starter if DiPietro becomes hurt again. Also he will turn 40 years old this October.

Mike Knuble

The Flyers wanted to keep him, but couldn't afford him. Instead the Capitals snagged the big right-winger and inked him to a two-year deal for $2.8 million a year.

Scott Neidermayer

The veteran defenseman told the Ducks he would not retire and as a result, Chris Pronger was dealt to Philadelphia. He confirmed holding off his retirement party to play for Anaheim for one more season at $6 million. The 4-time winner of the Stanley Cup will be back for a seventeenth season.

Jaroslav Spacek

The former Sabre signed a three-year deal for $11.5 million. He is one of the four big splashes made by the Canadiens on the first day of free agency.

Erik Cole

The mostly Hurricane and half-a-year Oiler decided to stay with Carolina. He has spent his whole career with the 'Canes, except for last year's fiasco. He will be taking a paycut by signing a $5.8 million deal over two years.

Nikolai Khabibulin

The expendable goalie in Chicago has left the Windy City for Edmonton. Edmonton replaced Roloson with a possible upgrade in the rapidly-aging Khabibulin. He has not showed any consistency, barring a Cup run in 2004, and partly of last season. Playing well in contract years have earned him big bucks and his newest deal is at $15 million for four years.

Scott Clemmensen

The proven, longtime backup of Martin Brodeur may have just found him a new home in Florida. He will be the backup for Thomas Vokoun, but expect him to fill in at least 30 games or maybe even challenge for the starting job. He replaces Craig Anderson at $3.6 million over three years.

Hal Gill

Hal Gill, the six-foot six, 250-pound defenseman, signed for $4.5 million for two years. Some people may call it overpriced, but he is a big reason why he has a new ring to wear. He is also the second newest le Habitant so far.

Mike Komisarek

The Long Island native was rumored to go back home, but instead signed for the big bucks of Brian Burke (awesome alliteration). He signed a 5-year deal that pays him $4.5 million a year.

Mike Cammalleri

Here we go. The third signing for Montreal proved to be in small center Mike Cammalleri. He signed for five years and $30 million. The Flames just couldn't afford that after signing free agent prize, Jay Bouwmeester.

Samuel Pahlsson

He'll be switching teams in the Central Division. He has moved from the Windy City to Columbus for a three-year deal. As team policy with Columbus, terms were not disclosed.

Marian Gaborik

Glen Sather has done it again. He has signed another big-name free agent to a big deal. Will it work out for him this time? Only time will tell. Will history repeat itself? Gomez, Drury, Redden...Maybe. A five-year deal, that will pay him $7.5 a year for the Blue Shirts is what the Slovak will be raking in. This came after Gomez was traded to Montreal.

John Madden

He is in the category for the Lou Lamoriello out-of-nowhere award. He is a defensive center who can play both ways and has been rewarded with a 1-year $2.75 million dollar deal from Chicago.

Brian Gionta

The five-foot-seven tenacious player is the last to be signed by the Canadiens on Day 1. He is a very tenacious player who will provide scoring for the Habs and along with Gomez, Gill, Cammalleri, and Spacek, the Canadiens will be a very good team next year. He signed a five-year deal for $25 million.

Martin Havlat

The final signing on Day 1 was a big one, as Martin Havlat signed on the dotted line for $30 million over six years. He will be replacing Gaborik in Minnesota, because he left for the Rangers.