NHL Free Agents 2011: 4 Teams Helped the Most by Free Agency

The dust has settled after about a week of signings both large and small, dramatic and expected. Many players you'd never expect to break the bank broke it. Teams that weren't expected to sign key players did, and there were some unexpected moves in the mix as well. Here are the the 5 teams that have benefited the most by the 2011 Free Agent Frenzy.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres went broke for Christian Ehrhoff, signing him to a 10 year, $40 million deal, but went bonkers for Ville Leino (6 years, $27 million). Signing Cody McCormick to a 3-year deal was a nice move for a quality player. But, seriously? $70 million for three players?

That may be too much, but these players will help the Sabres. Ehrhoff provides the missing defense that they need. Leino, even though they ridiculously overpaid for, will be a good utility player.

Bottom Line: "Buffalo made two huge splashes and should be applauded for that audacity; their success as hockey decisions will be revealed in the next six seasons,"said Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo Sports.  

Florida Panthers

The Panthers were the team that made the biggest splash. They signed:

Tomas Kopecky (4 years, $12 million): Solid, checking 3rd or 4th liner who has Stanley Cup experience with the Blackhawks and Red Wings. 

Jose Theodore (2 years, $3 million): The former league MVP in 2002 still has a couple of good years in him. He will take over the starting job, as Thomas Vokoun signed with the Capitals.

Ed Jovanovski: (4 years, $16.5 million): Finally, Jovanovski is coming back home. After a few good years in Phoenix, Ed Jovanovski is back in Florida. He is a stable top 2 defenseman, and he will provide the leadership and experience that this young team needs.

Scottie Upshall, Marcel Goc, Tomas Fleischmann, Sean Bergenheim: Four solid third or fourth line forwards who would benefit any team.

Bottom Line: With this foundation, the Panthers will be a contender for years to come.

New York Rangers

While the Panthers made many moves to sign a number of players, the Rangers made just one move that is really going to pay off.

Signing Brad Richards for nine years and $60 million is the key move that instantly bolts the Rangers to one of the top contenders in the East. Pairing him with Gaborik immediately creates a two-headed monster on the first line. Now all they need is someone to fill that third slot in the first line.  

Washington Capitals

After trading Semyon Varlamov to the Avalanche for two draft picks, the Capitals went after Tomas Vokoun, the top goaltender available, and got him for $1.5 million, a huge bargain. Then, they signed Roman Hamrlik, a solid, puck-moving defenseman that immediately upgrades their blue line. Then followed Joel Ward and Jeff Halpern who are two forwards that will provide great depth to their 3rd and 4th line.