NHL Free Agency: Analyzing the Moves from Day One

2012 NHL free agency started yesterday, and there were plenty of moves to discuss.

While the big players, like Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, remain unsigned, plenty of others found new homes.

Whether it was role players getting big money, guys looking to rebound, or teams adding the missing piece, the first day of NHL free agency did not disappoint. 

We'll analyze some of the notable moves. 

Jason Garrison to Vancouver

Jason Garrison signed the biggest deal on the first day. The defenseman signed a six-year, $27.6 million deal with the Vancouver Canucks. That's a huge increase from his $700,000 salary last season.

Garrison has terrific offensive skill, scoring 16 goals and adding 17 assists. Garrison scored the third-most goals among defenseman in the NHL last season.

He's an asset on the man advantage, where he scored nine of his markers.  

Garrison will upgrade an already terrific power play in Vancouver.

He's not the best defensive player, but he did finish last season with a plus-six rating. 

Garrison will have a big target on his back with the money, but if last season is any indication, he'll do just fine. 

Ray Whitney to Dallas

Ray Whitney signed a two-year, $9 million deal with the Dallas Stars. 

The 40-year-old scored 24 goals and added 53 assists last season for the Phoenix Coyotes.

He is a power-play specialist, tallying eight goals and 12 assists on the man advantage last season.

Whitney is getting up there in age, but he has proven to be an effective scorer and a weapon on the power play. 

Dallas had the league's worst power play last season, scoring on a paltry 13.5 percent of their chances. The addition of Whitney will improve that tremendously.  

P.A. Parenteau to Colorado

The Colorado Avalanche signed former Islander winger P.A. Parenteau to a four-year deal worth $16 million. 

Last season, Parenteau had 18 goals and 49 assists. He was terrific on the power play, scoring 16 goals and adding 27 assists.

Some might say Parenteau's success had to do with the presence of John Tavares, but Lighthouse Hockey debunks that theory:

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Parenteau was played on the second line from December 29, 2011 through February 4, 2012, for a total of 17 games. The move was made after a bad three game losing streak that came just as the Isles seemed to be turning things around. During that period, he was lined up mainly with Nielsen and Grabner and, for a couple of games, with Brian Rolston. How did he do? He scored a total of 11 even strength points: 2 goals and 9 assists, which matches his per game even strength productiveness over the course of the season.

"

Parenteau is able to succeed with a star player or not. In Colorado, he'll play with Matt Duchene, who had a down season last year. If Parenteau can find the same success with Duchene as he had with Tavares, then the Avalanche will be quite happy. 

Brad Boyes to Islanders

The New York Islanders signed right winger Brad Boyes to a one-year, $1 million deal.

Boyes was once considered one of the rising stars in hockey, but something has gotten him off course. 

In 82 games with St. Louis in 2007, Boyes scored 43 goals and had 22 assists. In 2009, he had only 14 markers.

Last season, Boyes scored only eight goals and had 15 assists with the Sabres.

It's not quite clear what happened to Boyes. The Islanders are taking a low-risk gamble that he can return to his old form. If he can, the Islanders will have gotten a bargain. If not, it's only $1 million. 

For Boyes, it's a chance to redeem himself. If he does, the Islanders will be very happy. 

Brandon Prust to Montreal

Brandon Prust is one of the big winners in free agency. He signed with the Montreal Canadiens for $10 million over four years. 

Prust scored five goals and added 12 assists last season with the New York Rangers. He had 156 penalty minutes and 144 hits and is one of the league's top fighters.

He is also excellent on the penalty kill, and will only add to the Canadiens' second-ranked unit

Prust is an excellent role player. He's not a huge offensive threat, but he's a "heart-and-soul" guy who will do anything to win. 

It's a great signing for the Habs, who are looking to rebound from a very disappointing season. 

Adam Burish to San Jose

The San Jose Sharks signed Adam Burish to a four-year, $7.2 million deal yesterday.

Burish, last of the Dallas Stars, is a gritty winger who won a championship with Chicago.

The winger scored six goals and had 13 assists last season.

Burish will bring an edge to a talented San Jose team who doesn't always play with one. He's also a former college roommate of Sharks center Joe Pavelski. 

Adrian Aucoin to Columbus

Adrian Aucoin has signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets

Aucoin, last of the Phoenix Coyotes, scored two goals and added seven assists last season.

He will provide a steady, veteran defensive presence for a Blue Jackets team that gave up 257 goals last season, third most in the league.

He'll combine with Jack Johnson to give Columbus a first-pair defensive tandem. 

Bryan Allen to Anaheim

Bryan Allen has signed a three-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks, for $10.5 million. 

Allen is a defensive defenseman, who will instantly become one of Anaheim's best players.

He is a prolific shot-blocker, as he blocked 188 attempts last season. He also had 111 hits.

Allen will improve a pedestrian Anaheim defense and help get them back in contention. 

Mikael Samuelsson to Detroit

Mikael Samuelsson has signed with the Detroit Red Wings for two years and $6 million. Samuelsson played for the Red Wings between 2005-09 and won a Cup with them in 2008.

Splitting time between Vancouver and Florida, Samuelsson scored 14 goals and added 17 assists. 

The 35-year-old will provide valuable secondary scoring for the Red Wings, as well as play on the power play. 

Methot for Foligno

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded Marc Methot to the Ottawa Senators for Nick Foligno.

Methot, a defensive defenseman, scored one goal and had six assists in 46 games.

Foligno, a rugged winger, scored 15 goals and had 32 assists.

It's an interesting swap. Columbus needs defensive players, so trading one of their best is surprising. He is, however, a good fit for Ottawa, who could pair him with Erik Karlsson.

Foligno will provide energy and secondary scoring for the Blue Jackets. The Jackets are looking for talent upgrades across the board and Foligno will provide that.