NHL Free Agency: Breaking Down the Biggest Deals of the Free Agent Frenzy

There are three days that NHL fans love the most: Opening Night, the trade deadline, and the first day of free agency.

Today was Canada Day and the opening of free agency and this class was one of the most star powered in recent years. Star players like Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, Ray Whitney, Matt Carle and Martin Brodeur hit the market looking to make some good money.

Some players, like Parise, Suter and Carle, have waited to make their decision, but other players took the best offer they had on the first day. 

This article will be breaking down the biggest deals of the day. So in case you were living under a rock and didn't see any of the deals, or just want a quick recap, this is the article for you. 

Scott Clemmensen Signs with Florida for Two Years

Scott Clemmensen re-signed with the Florida Panthers for a two-year deal with undisclosed amount of money. 

This deal is a double-edged sword for the Panthers. Clemmensen was fairly solid for the Panthers in their playoff series against the New Jersey Devils and showed some good promise. Both are reasons why the Panthers should have re-signed the netminder.

Florida is also seen as a landing spot for Roberto Luongo if the Canucks wanted to trade him. Luongo played six seasons in Florida before being traded to the Canucks for Todd Bertuzzi. The Clemmensen signing adds some doubt that Luongo would be the guaranteed the starting spot, especially with his shaky playoff late in Vancouver.

Ultimately, the Panthers had to plan as if they weren't going to land Luongo, which makes this deal one they should be happy about. 

Jonas Gustavsson Signs with Detroit for 2yr/ $3mil

This is a deal that both sides should be very happy about.

Detroit gets a solid No. 2 goaltender to back up Jimmy Howard. If Howard goes down, they will be guaranteed to have a goalie that can handle himself in the net. Goalies like Ty Conklin were too inconsistent for Detroit's liking, which is why they pursued Gustavsson.

For Gustavsson, this is a deal that is made in heaven. In Toronto, Gustavsson was under a lot of pressure to perform and was ultimately surpassed by Reimer by season's end. Being behind Howard, he will get about 20-30 games and won't have the kind of pressure he had in Toronto. If he performs well over these next two years, he could become the starter for a different team because of his contract length.

The Red Wings will give Gustavsson a second chance to get a solid starting job and Gustavsson will give stability behind Howard.  

Wild Ink Zenon Konopka for Two Years

The Wild are eyeing making a huge splash by signing Parise or Suter, but for now, they wanted to beef up their front 12 and did so by signing Konopka.

Konopka has had a few rough years, playing for three different teams in three years and the Wild would be the fourth. Part of this may be his place of production, only getting five points in 55 games last season. But he is a fourth-line player, paid to grind it out and be an energy guy. Putting points on the board is just a bonus.

If the Wild were serious about getting Parise or Suter, this would be a stepping-stone to make those deals. The Wild would need to protect them and Konopka added with Cal Clutterbuck is a great combination. Konopka had 195 penalty minutes last season and led the league in penalty minutes in the past two seasons. He can throw his body around and protect the stars of the Wild.

The Wild are looking to make it back to the playoffs and Konopka added with another signing could be the key. 

Dallas Signs Ray Whitney for 2 Years, $9 Million

Whitney signing with the Stars is arguably the biggest deal on the first day of free agency.

Whitney is 40 years old and on the last legs of his career. His time with Phoenix was great, but with the instability of the franchise, it was smart of him to get out while he could and Dallas is a great landing spot.

Dallas was a top-six forward away from making the playoffs last year and Whitney could be the answer. The Stars aren't planning for the future with this signing—they want to win now. Add Whitney with a fully healthy Kari Lehtonen and the Stars could be in the top eight next season.

This move was smart for Whitney because the Stars were the only team to offer him a two-year contract. That extra year gives him some security to his contract if he decides he can go one more year. If not, then its nothing that can hurt him. 

The Stars may not have the star of the future in Whitney, but if the team succeeds, he could lure some younger talents to sign with the Stars. 

Islanders Gamble and Sign Brad Boyes for a 1 Year, $1 Million Contract

Ever since he left St. Louis, Brad Boyes has not been the goal-scorer he was known as. The Islanders hope they can find his scoring spark again.

Boyes had 23 points in 65 games this past season for the Sabres. His .35 points per game is not something that the Sabres wanted in Boyes, but the Islanders believe he can get some production while also giving some leadership to a very young squad. 

Boyes also gets a chance to make some headway in a resurgence in his offensive game. The Islanders could be the last stop for the 30-year-old. The uncertainty could either do wonders for his career, or make him crumble under the pressure. 

Boyes is one of those deals that isn't very big, but is one that is interesting because of the implications. The Islanders did make a trade that made some noise though. 

Matt Carkner Denies Avalanche and Signs a 3 Year, $4.5 Million Deal with Islanders

The bigger deal of the day for the Islanders was signing defenseman Matt Carkner to a three-year deal worth $4.5 million. 

The Carkner saga is interesting, as the Colorado Avalanche Twitter feed released a statement saying they had signed Carkner. His agent said there was no such deal and a few hours later Carkner signed with the Islanders.

Carkner is a gritty defenseman, racking up three points and 33 penalty minutes in 29 games for the Senators last season. Carkner is known for attacking Brian Boyle in the playoff series against the New York Rangers last season. 

The Islanders get another young defenseman that could eventually lead the Islanders back into the playoffs. The Islanders haven't raised the cup in 25 years and haven't reached the playoffs since 2007. The young core of players could be the early start of a team that could end the drought in a few years.

The Islanders are a team that quietly became better after July 1st and could surprise a few teams come October. 

Dustin Penner Re-Signs with LA for 1 Year, $3.25 Million

Penner saw his stock rise over his highly-productive postseason and returned to the Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings.

Penner had some off-ice distractions during the season last year, which explains some of his slumping season. At one point, the Kings were looking to trade Penner at the deadline. But after his postseason, the Kings were extremely smart to re-sign the forward.

Penner has the ability to defend his title with the Kings, whom retained all of their UFA's this free agency. The Kings will look much like they did last season, giving them a big advantage to return to the Finals again. Penner stated that he wants to stay on a championship team and the Kings are clearly one.

Penner won his second Cup this past season and the Kings signed him so he can have a shot at winning a third. 

Filip Kuba Signs 2 Year, $8 Million Contract with Florida

Filip Kuba was added by Florida to replace James Garrison and it looks like he will be able to do the job. 

Kuba had a good year last season with Ottawa, pairing up with Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. Kuba had 32 points in 73 games and finished with a fantastic plus-26 rating. This kind of rating does not come without some great hockey smarts and defensive talents.

The Panthers should have Kuba paired up with Brian Campbell, a player that is a lot like Karlsson. These two will give offensive talent to the Panthers, and can add some security to the goaltender position. 

Kuba will add some great ability and depth to the blue line, but the blue line wasn't the only thing the Panthers improved. 

Florida Inks George Parros to 2 Year, $1.85 Million Contract

The man with the best mustache in the NHL will be wearing a new sweater next season, as Florida sign Parros to a two-year deal.

Parros is not known for his offensive abilities, only scoring four points in 46 games last season. No, he is feared for his body and his fists. Parros, over seven seasons and 417 games, has 950 penalty minutes.

Parros will be used by the Panthers as a fourth-liner that will throw his body around and get his teammates jacked. He is a fan favorite wherever he is, and his fists can do some serious damage. Parros may not be the biggest star in this free agent class, but very few can match the heart that he has.

The Panthers have made the necessary deals to rival the Caps for the Southeastern title and the hockey world should sit back and watch the backyard brawl for the division crown. 

P.A. Parenteau Leaves Islanders for 4 Year, $16 Million Deal with Colorado

Colorado has a few young stars that make the team exciting to watch. By adding P.A. Parenteau to the list, they may just be able to jump into the top eight in the Western Conference. 

Parenteau was stuck in New York, and not on the team with huge potential. Parenteau jumped ship to the Avs because they give him the ability to be competitive, something the Islanders can't do for a few years. Parenteau had a breakout season last year, scoring 67 points. 

The Colorado Avalanche believe that his 67 points was not a fluke and got him while he was still cheap. Putting Parenteau on a line with Matt Duchene or Paul Stastny would make that line one of the youngest and most dangerous lines in the NHL.

There is huge upside to this Parenteau deal, and both sides will be very happy over the next four seasons.

Jay McClement Headed to Toronto for 2 Years, $3 Million

Jay McClement may have been one of the most underrated players in this free agent class and Toronto gives him some decent money.

McClement went over to the Avs in the Shattenkirk/Stewart trade between the Avs and Blues two seasons ago at the deadline and has been a leader on the team. He wore the "A" last season and was a lead-by-example player, scoring 17 points last season. He excels in the face-off season and being a specialty player for the penalty kill.

For Toronto, he is exactly what they need. Their penalty kill last season was dreadful and McClement could instantly make an impact. Winning face-offs is also a huge part of the game and, with their middle-of-the-pack offense, face-offs could boost their offensive ability.

Toronto is still looking to get back into the playoffs after a very long drought and McClement could be an important piece of this team in the next two years. 

Tampa Secures Sami Salo for 2 Years, $7.5 Million

Sami Salo is another aging star that is looking for a stable contract that can still pay him some big bucks before he has to retire and the Lightning do not disappoint.

Salo is a good grab for the Lightning. Salo had 25 points last season with the Canucks and led the team with power play goals. For the Lightning, any offensive ability will help the team that went from Eastern Conference finalists to bottom feeders in a year.

The Lightning is housing many older stars in the league, and it could be one of the last seasons the Lightning can be competitive with all of the pieces they have. Salo gives them blue line depth and is a body that can clear the way in front of a goaltender. Having an experienced guy in front could help the shaky goaltending the Lightning is dealing with.

Salo may only have a few more years to win a cup and the Lightning could be his last chance. 

Brandon Prust Signs with Montreal for Four Years

Brandon Prust was the hero for the Rangers in the Winter Classic and was an important figure for the Rangers this past season. And now he will do the same for the Canadiens. 

Prust is a middle-of-the-pack scorer for the Rangers, putting up 17 points in 82 games. But Prust is a leader for his team, one that will use his body to show leadership. That is what Montreal signed him for.

Montreal was the worst in the Eastern Conference last season and needs his kind of leadership on a team that doesn't have an identity. Prust can show players like P.K. Subban how to lead their team and give themselves to the team mentality. 

Prust went from the top to the bottom in the Eastern Conference, but he is there to bring the Canadiens to the Rangers' level. 

Jason Garrison Signs 6 Year, 27.6 Million Contract with Vancouver

Garrison is about ready to enter the prime of his career and Vancouver made sure they would have him for its entirety.

Garrison had an offensive breakout, putting up 33 points in 77 games for the Panthers. Garrison was a major part of the blue line that helped the Panthers reached the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. His offensive ability was a catalyst for the Panthers' offense.

Vancouver should be very pleased with this signing, even after losing Salo. Garrison adds offense to a blue line consisting of Keith Ballard, Kevin Bieksa and Alexander Elder. These four defensemen may be the most prolific combination of D-men in the NHL.

Vancouver is still looking to grab their first Stanley Cup and their blue line could be the road to the Cup.  

Jordan Tootoo Signs with Detroit for Three Years

Jordan Tootoo is a bottom-six forward that gives teams headaches no matter what he is doing. For Detroit, he is a great signing in free agency.

Tootoo played for the division rival Nashville Predators for the last eight seasons and will now be playing for the Winged Wheel. Tootoo signed at the best time, coming off a career year in points, assists, and games played. Detroit is heavy on top-six forwards, so by adding Tootoo, they add some offensive ability with grit in their bottom six. 

Detroit is looking to regain their Central Division dominance and needed some help with the loss of Lidstrom to retirement in this offseason. Tootoo adds some grit and offense to their bottom six and the Red Wings are looking to replace Lidstrom with fellow Predator Ryan Suter.

The Wings could be a cup contender with these few signings and, if they get Suter, they instantly become Cup favorites.   

Anaheim Signs Sheldon Souray to Three-Year Deal

The Ducks lost George Parros in free agency and look to regain some of his grit and gain offensive ability by signing Souray.

Souray has veteran experience the Ducks can exploit on their blue line and his ability to put up fairly good points for a defenseman also helps the team. Souray posted 21 points, a plus-11 rating and 73 penalty minutes last season was more than enough to convince the Ducks he was worth a three-year contract.

Anaheim gets a veteran D-man for a number of years, which could help them build another contending team. His contract length is the perfect amount to see if his contributions will lift the team up or hold them under the top eight. And whatever way it leans, the team can adjust accordingly.

The Ducks added a defenseman that may not stand out in any particular category, but is capable in many of them. He is an all-around player that could be a big hit in Anaheim. 

Mikael Samuelsson Returns to Detroit for Two Years

Mikael Samuelsson won fame in Detroit for helping the team win the 2008 Stanley Cup and will be returning to the Lou for two more seasons.

Samuelsson was with the Florida Panthers this past season after being traded from Vancouver. Samuelsson, despite playing in 48 games, scored 28 points over the season with just 13 penalty minutes. Samuelsson will fill the role of third-line winger, someone who won't get the ice time of a top-six forward, but can still make significant contributions to the score sheet.

Detroit needed a player like Samuelsson with the expected loss of Jiri Hurdler and the aging of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Bertuzzi. His offensive ability will allow him to be a specialist, jumping into lines where they need him and begin able to play on the power play or penalty kill.

Detroit wants another championship badly and they are signing players that will make it happen.