Top 5 NHL Free Agency Signings: Day 1

Thomas Nolan by Contributor Written on July 02, 2009

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DETROIT - MAY 30:  Tomas Holmstrom #96 and Marian Hossa #81 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrate after Hossa's goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game 1 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena on May 30, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan.  (Photo
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Day 1 of NHL Free Agency proved to be a big one. Most of the big name players went ahead and decided to quickly sign on the first day of free agency. Some teams also bolstered their playoff chances, whether is be just making the playoffs or going all the was. Let's take a look at the top free agent signings of the first day of NHL free agency.

Sedins resign in Vancouver

DETROIT - JANUARY 17:  The Sedin brothers Daniel #22 and Henrik #33 of the Vancouver Canucks chat prior to a faceoff in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on January 17, 2008 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Canucks 3-

Mike Gillis quickly wrapped up 160 points worth of players, offering the twins identical 5 year contracts worth $6.1 million per season. Vancouver got a deal done before former Vancouver GM Brian Burke could bring them over to Toronto.

Hossa signs 12 year deal with 'Hawks

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27:  Marian Hossa #81 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates with teammates Mikael Samuelsson #37, Tomas Holmstrom #96 and Pavel Datsyuk #13 after Hossa scored a second period power play goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the

The Blackhawks quickly improved their offense by signing a high-caliber forward, locking him up with the club for twelve seasons, meaning he will be in Chicago until he is 40. Chicago got something they lacked when they played Detroit in the Western Conference Finals.

Gaborik signs with Rangers

6 Oct 2000:  Left winger Marian Gaborik #10 of the Minnesota Wild in action against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks at The Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. The Ducks won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kellie Landis/ALLSPORT

Each and every offseason, New York tries to make a couple of impact signings to try and reach the Stanley Cup finals. Two seasons ago, they signed centers Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, who was recently traded to Montreal. Last year, they signed blueliner Wade Redden and Markus Naslund, and also acquired skilled forward Nikolai Zherdev. They still could not get past Washington. Gaborik could finally prove to be the missing piece. After dumping Gomez's huge salary, New York went ahead and signed the best free agent remaining. If he stays healthy, the Rangers could finally be contenders.

Cammalleri signs with Montreal

PITTSBURGH - MARCH 25: Forward Mike Cammalleri #13 of the Calgary Flames skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 25, 2009 at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Habs could have used an 80+ point scorer last season, as their leading scorer had 65 points (Kovalev). Cammalleri added 39 goals for Calgary last season. He will also be able to work with newly acquired Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta.

Ohlund signs with Tampa Bay

CHICAGO - MAY 05:  Mattias Ohlund #2 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 5, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago,

Tampa Bay is closer to the playoffs than you might think. They have skilled forwards in Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier, and Ryan Malone. Ohlund gives the Lightning a solid veteran blue liner with playoff experience, as the Lightning's D-men were battling with injuries last season.

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written on July 02, 2009 Rankings/List

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