NHL Free Agents 2011: Power Ranking the 14 Most Meaningful Free Agent Signings

The 2011 NHL offseason has been very busy. There have been free agent signings and trades galore and probably more to come, with some top names still available.

Arbitration hearings for restricted free agents begin next week and high profile names like Shea Weber and Zach Parise should elicit significant contracts for 2011-12.

Before the rest of the free agents sign their new deal, let's take a look back at the most significant free agents already signed this offseason.

Everyone knows of Brad Richards' and Ilya Bryzgalov's mammoth deals, but there have been other meaningful signings as well.

Here are 14 of the most meaningful signings so far in 2011.

14. Andrew Ladd

Andrew Ladd was named the captain of the Atlanta Thrashers last November and helped navigate the team through another tough season.

He was named MVP of the team at the end of the season.

True North bought out the franchise and relocated it to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ladd was set to become a free agent on July 1st and it was vital that the franchise keep the captain to provide stability for the team in the new city.

The team signed Ladd to a five-year deal right before the arbitration deadline fell, keeping Ladd from having to file.

Ladd will make $22 million over the five years.

13. Tim Connolly

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost out on the Brad Richards Derby, but were still in need of a top center. They settled on Tim Connolly, previously from the Buffalo Sabres.

Connolly's deal is for two years, worth $9.5 million.

It will be interesting to see if Connolly accomplishes what the team is looking for from him.

12. Erik Cole

After Brad Richards, there wasn't a lot of star power in the forward free agent market. There were some mid-level forwards, some with much more potential in front of them.

Erik Cole was one of those players.

The Carolina Hurricanes lost the forward to the Montreal Canadiens, for a four-year, $18 million deal.

Cole had a great 2010-11 season, scoring 52 points, his highest total since the 2006-07 season. The Canadiens will hope that he improves on that point total again in 2011-12.

11. Keith Yandle

Keith Yandle was one of the top, younger defenseman set to become a free agent on July 1st. Yandle was set to become an RFA and would have likely garnered a lot of attention once the veteran defensemen were signed.

However, the Phoenix Coyotes weren't prepared to lose Yandle, especially after losing Ilya Bryzgalov and Ed Jovanovski.

They signed Yandle to a five-year deal that day, worth $26.25 million total.

10. James Wisniewski

James Wisniewski hasn't had a stable home much during his professional career, however that will probably change now that he signed a long-term deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The deal is worth $33 million for six years and includes a no-movement clause.

The Blue Jackets were in serious need of defensive support and believe they've found it in Wisniewski.

They better hope they're right, since otherwise, they're stuck with him for awhile.

9. Joni Pitkanen

Joni Pitkanen was set to become a UFA on July 1st and there was significant interest in the veteran defenseman.

The Carolina Hurricanes realized this and signed him to a three-year, $12 million deal.

Pitkanen has had some of his best years in a Hurricanes uniform and looks to continue that into the next few seasons.

8. Simon Gagne

Simon Gagne signed with the Los Angeles Kings once he became a free agent on July 1st. His deal is worth $7 million over two years.

He'll be reunited with Mike Richards, furthering the "Philadelphia Flyers of the West" label of the Kings.

While he's struggled and some believe that his production won't ever be the same again after his concussion, there's a good chance he can rebound and still be a highly-productive player.

7. Christian Ehrhoff

The Vancouver Canucks couldn't re-sign both Kevin Bieksa and Christian Ehrhoff so they shipped his rights to the New York Islanders.

Ehrhoff was a highly coveted defenseman this offseason, but he didn't want to play for the Islanders.

So, they shipped his rights to the Buffalo Sabres, where he would sign. Ehrhoff signed for 10 years, worth $40 million.

His deal was much longer and larger than the other top defensive prospects, especially after people thought Andrei Markov's deal would set the tone.

6. Brooks Laich

After Brad Richards, Brooks Laich was probably the second-most coveted free agent forward this offseason.

However, Laich wanted to stay in Washington and the Washington Capitals wanted to keep him.

He signed a six-year deal worth $27 million, a significant increase over his 2010-11 salary of $2.4 million. Laich's signing is meaningful because he's been a fan and organization favorite throughout his time in D.C. and is one of the hardest workers.

5. Kevin Bieksa

Kevin Bieksa was easily the Vancouver Canucks' best defenseman in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs and season. He was one of their best players altogether.

So, obviously the Canucks would look to keep their star defenseman and he was willing to give them a hometown discount to do it.

He signed a five-year deal worth $23 million and finally got his NTC so the trade rumors will stop now.

4. Jaromir Jagr

Jaromir Jagr will make his return to the NHL this fall after a three year stint in the KHL. Many thought that he would return tot he Pittsburgh Penguins, the team with whom he won his Stanley Cups.

However, Jagr will return instead across the state, signing a one year deal worth $3.3 million with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The signing of Jagr answers many of the questions (for now at least) about where the extra scoring, left by Mike Richards and Jeff Carter's absences, will come from.

After all, even at 39, Jagr can still produce.

3. Ilya Bryzgalov

Ilya Bryzgalov was the most sought after goaltender in this year's free agent crop. The Philadelphia Flyers were in dire need of veteran goaltending, so naturally, they traded for the rights to him.

The team signed him to a nine-year deal valued at $51 million.

Now that they have a veteran goaltender, they believe that they have greater chances at finally bringing the Cup back to Philly.

We'll have to wait and see if it works out.

2. Brad Richards

Brad Richards was the most coveted player in this year's offseason, with teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers all making plays for him.

The New York Rangers won, signing Richards to a nine-year, $60 million deal. It makes him the highest paid player this coming season, earning $12 million for the first two years of the deal.

The Rangers have been looking for a high-producing forward and someone to center their top line. They have found that in Richards.

1. Tomas Vokoun

Tomas Vokoun's name has been brought up in many trade rumors because he was set to become a UFA this summer and many believed that he wanted out of Florida.

Well, he signed with the Washington Capitals for one year at $1.5 million.

Now the Caps have a veteran goaltender, who is a fellow Czech for to aid Michal Neuvirth's development. They got this for the low, low price of $1.5 million; Vokoun could have probably received more on the free agent market or with the Panthers, but chose to sign with a Cup contender instead.

We'll see if it's enough to get the Caps their first Cup.