NHL Free Agency: The 10 Best Moves of the Free Agency Period Thus Far

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Since the start of free agency, NHL fans have been made witness to a huge transformation in the NHL landscape.  Never before have we seen more players move to new homes in one day.

Even after July 1, more players have found new homes, and the NHL General Managers should give themselves a pat on the back as most of the moves have been monumental in the progress of their respective organizations.

Here are the 10 top moves in the NHL since free agency began.

10. Minnesota, San Jose Swap Wingers

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

TRADE

To Minnesota: Dany Heatley ($7.5 million cap hit, next three seasons)

To San Jose: Martin Havlat ($5 million cap hit, next four seasons)

This trade works for everyone.  For San Jose, they get rid of a star in their quest to change their team in hopes of finding the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history. 

They also gain $2.5 million in cap space to make more signings or trades to help them out.  They also get back what they lost, a skilled winger to play with Joe Thornton.

In Minnesota, they get a guy who has been to the Stanley Cup Finals and a proven 50-goal scorer.  The Wild will also get the good with the bad as if this deal becomes a bust and Havlat is a bust as well, the Wild can rest on the fact that they get out of an expensive contract a year sooner.

Sure, you can't compare Havlat's skill to Heatley's, but think about it, Heatley has scored 50 goals in another city and Big Joe is known for getting guys 50-goal campaigns and Rocket Richard Trophies, or are we forgetting Jonathan Cheechoo, who has spent the last couple seasons in the AHL.

9. Erik Cole Goes to Montreal

Rob Carr/Getty Images

FREE AGENCY ACQUISITION

Montreal Canadiens sign F Erik Cole to a four-year, $18 million contract ($4.5 million cap hit)

One of the better acquisitions in the free-agent frenzy was by Montreal, signing Erik Cole to a four-year deal.

Cole is a great winger and knows how to put the puck in the net.  His contract won't hurt the Canadiens, unlike the Scott Gomez contract, and it gives them a top line player in their depth charts to work if a few people land on the IR. 

With the lack of size that Montreal possesses, in a gritty Northeast Division that houses their rival Toronto Maple Leafs and the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins, there will be some banged up bodies in the 2011-12 campaign.

A great price for a guy who has a lot of playoff experience and also a former 30-goal scorer.

8. Steve Sullivan Heads East, Signs One Year With Penguins

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

FREE AGENCY ACQUISITION

Pittsburgh Penguins sign F Steve Sullivan to a one year, $1.5 million deal.

Steve Sullivan has left the Music City and is looking for a new start with Sid the Kid and crew in Pittsburgh.  The deal may be worth $1.5 million over a year, but it is a win-win situation for both parties involved.

The Penguins don't get locked into a big contract with a veteran player, and Sullivan gets a shot to play for a legitimate Stanley Cup contender (yes, Nashville fans, you have a ways to go before you contend for a Cup).

Sullivan took a pretty big pay cut from the $3.75 million he was earning in his last two seasons, but he has earned his money and wants a Stanley Cup.

The "Timmins Tornado" should have a bit left in the tank and getting the opportunity to make plays with Crosby and Malkin as well as being a veteran voice in the locker room, he will show his worth.

Sullivan is looking to play 1,000 games before he hits retirement.  He is 110 games short of that goal, equal to one full season coming up as well as into the 2012-13 campaign, which I am sure he will reach with Pittsburgh, and if not with the Pens, some other team is sure to take the speedy winger.

7. Maxime Talbot Crosses Rival Lines, Signs With Flyers

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

FREE AGENCY ACQUISITION

Philadelphia Flyers sign F Maxime Talbot to a five-year, $16 million deal ($1.8 million cap hit)*

The good news is that the Flyers nabbed a cross-state rival that has won a Stanley Cup.  More than that, Talbot is the man who scored the Cup winner in 2009 for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A five-year deal is something for Flyers fans to cheer about as the 27-year-old is looking to be part of a rebuild in the City of Brotherly Love.

While he has never eclipsed 15 goals in any of his NHL seasons, Talbot is a solid character guy to have around and along with Jaromir Jagr, will receive the ire of Penguins fans from now on.

*This contract looked to be front-loaded and will be altered before the NHL can approve it.  There should only be a minor alteration as the thing that makes it illegal is the fact that under the original contract, Talbot is scheduled to receive $2.25 million in year three and $1 million in year four.

Under the salary cap rules, a player cannot take a pay drop from one year to the next of more than 50 percent. 

6. Two Veterans Sign Similar Contracts in St. Louis

Len Redkoles/Getty Images

FREE AGENCY ACQUISITION

St. Louis Blues sign F Jamie Langenbrunner and F Jason Arnott, each to a one-year, $2.8 million deal

In one day, the Blues made a huge splash in free agency.  They grabbed two former Stanley Cup winners and former captains to help a young team climb back into the post-season.

The Blues players are bound to take their advice, considering Eric Brewer was traded and did not return so the veteran presence was truly needed.

The two aren't bad hockey players at their age either as Langenbrunner, 35, recorded nine goals and 27 assists between New Jersey and Dallas in 2010-11.  Arnott, 36, nabbed 17 goals and 14 assists splitting time in New Jersey and Washington.

On that note, the two have been a veteran presence together in New Jersey and are sure to bring their teamwork to St. Louis.

Great signings for Blues fans to be excited for!

5. Kaberle Signs with Carolina...Tomas, Not Frank

Harry How/Getty Images

FREE AGENT ACQUISITION

Carolina Hurricanes sign D Tomas Kaberle to a three-year, $12.75 million deal ($4.25 million cap hit)

The Hurricanes are turning into the next Boston Bruins team...and no, I don't mean they're the favourites to win the Cup next season.

They are becoming a team that Toronto Maple Leafs players are becoming known for going to.  In the last bit, Alexei Ponikarovsky and Tim Brent have signed contracts while former Leafs first-round selection Jiri Tlusty remains with the team. 

Let us not forget the man behind the bench, former Leafs coach Paul Maurice.

The signing here is the icing on the cake.  Tomas Kaberle, fresh off a Stanley Cup victory as a member of the Boston Bruins has joined the Canes for a very reasonable price.

Sure, Kaberle didn't play to the Bruins' expectations but he is a proven PP quarterback and will be a complimentary addition to the special teams.

The decision was made easy after Tomas had a chat with his brother Frank Kaberle, a former Carolina player and the man who pocketed the Cup winner for the Canes in 2006.

4. Burke Makes Big Trade With Nashville

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TRADE

To Toronto: F Matt Lombardi ($3.5M cap hit, two years left), D Cody Franson ($800K cap hit, one year left), Conditional fourth-round pick in 2013

To Nashville: D Brett Lebda ($1.45M cap hit, one year left), F Robert Slaney ($575K cap hit, one year left), Conditional fourth-round pick in 2013

For all the talk about how Brian Burke has done little so far in the free agency period, you have to give him credit for this one.

He obtained Lombardi, who can come back from a concussion and be a great top six guy and Franson, a player projected to be a top-four D-man when he reaches his potential, something he is already showing signs of at the NHL level.

All for the price of a defensive flop in Lebda and Slaney, who has no NHL experience.

Burke got a steal and this deal could possibly put the Leafs in the playoffs.  If not, it has put the Leafs in a position of having more blueliners than we care to count, which could possibly lead to a trade?

3. Colorado Settles Goalie Questions

Rob Carr/Getty Images

TRADE AND FREE AGENT ACQUISITION

Colorado Avalanche sign G Semyon Varlamov to a three-year, $8.5 million deal ($2,833,333 cap hit)

Colorado Avalanche sign G Jean-Sebastien Giguere to a two-year, $2.5 million deal ($1.25M cap hit)

In one day, the Avalanche went from having two goalies hitting the market to having their potential top two goalies for the next two years locked up.

The first step was trading for the rights to Semyon Varlamov.  It was a steep price as the Avalanche gave up their first-round selection in 2012 as well as a conditional second-round pick, also in 2012 .

The work was not done yet as the Avalanche still had to sign the Russian goaltender, who was next to ready to play in the KHL.  The Avalanche got the deal done on July 1, and soon after, they got another goaltender.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere is the perfect compliment to a young goalie.  He has the experience, a Cup ring, a Conn Smythe Trophy and when healthy, he can take the net and be a solid backup. 

Both of these moves were positive for a Colorado team that has not had great consistent goaltending since Patrick Roy retired a number of years back.

If Varlamov plays the way Colorado is looking for him to, the price paid to get his rights will be long forgotten.

2. Richards Decides on New York

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

FREE AGENT ACQUISITION

New York Rangers sign F Brad Richards to a nine-year, $58.5 million deal ($6.5 million cap hit)

It was the most talked about thing on July 1.  Brad Richards was in Mississauga, fielding offers from potential teams, trying to find his best fit and in the end, the Rangers made the pitch that sold him.

He will be a huge addition to a team that will surely vie for the playoffs this upcoming season.  Richards will have the opportunity to play with superstar Marian Gaborik and be coached by John Tortorella, the same man who coached Richards when he won the 2004 Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay.

It is one of the best signings but not enough to be the best vaue signing of the 2011 free-agency period.

1. Vokoun Proves to Be Best Value for Quality

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

FREE AGENCY ACQUISITION

Washington Capitals sign G Tomas Vokoun to a one-year, $1.5 million deal

What a deal for the Capitals.  They get one of the best goalies in the free agency period, and it barely makes a dent in their salary cap.

Vokoun was ranked second behind Richards in terms of quality free agents on TSN and to go for less than $2 million is unheard of!

Although Vokoun is 35, he still has a few years left in the NHL.  This is the best thing to happen to Washington since they won the draft lottery in 2004 and selected a young prospect by the name of Alex Ovechkin.

The worst case scenario is that if Vokoun falters, he is only under a one-year deal, so he can easily be dealt or he just simply goes away come July 1, 2012.

This was the best signing, bar none!

What do you think?