Top 10 Free Agent Signings

Whenever I start a new Be-A-GM career in an EA SPORTS NHL game I view the NHL Entry Draft as a way to build the future of my team.  However I’m lucky if one of my draft picks is ready for the NHL right out of the draft, and my virtual team owner isn’t about to wait four seasons for my picks to mature for me to bring the team to glory.

If there’s a position on my team that needs filling my first chance to do that is with a well recruited free agent. 

This past weekend the NHL entered Free Agency. Let’s look at the TOP 10 Free Agent signings where players changed teams this offseason:

1.       The most aggressive team thus far has been the Minnesota Wild who have signed both Zach Parise

and Ryan Suter to long term deals, each worth more than $98 million over the next thirteen years.

2.       NHL legend Jaromir Jagr signed a 1 year $4.55 million dollar deal taking him to Dallas, Texas

to play for the Stars.

3.       The Dallas Stars really turned some heads this free agency period, besides the Jagr signing, they

also picked up F Ray Whitney and traded for Derek Roy.

 

4.       The Edmonton Oilers courted top-touted young defenseman Justin Schultz who had been drafted

by the Anaheim Ducks, but never signed with the team instead staying at the University of Wisconsin.

5.       The Calgary Flames signed Detroit Red Wing Jiri Hudler to a $16 million four-year deal following

his career high 25 goal season last year.

6.       The Winnipeg Jets signed veteran Finnish centre Olli Jokinen to a two-year deal.  Jokinen has

been around the NHL having already played for the Flames, the L.A. Kings, New York Islanders, the

Florida Panthers, the Phoenix Coyotes and the New York Rangers.

7.       The Avalanche brought in right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau who had been playing for the

New York Islanders.

8.       After losing free agent defender Sami Salo to the Tampa Bay Lightening the Vancouver Canucks

picked up defenseman Jason Garrison on a six year contract worth nearly $28 million.

9.       F Mikael Samuelsson is a speedy winger that will do well in his return to Detroit. The 35-yr old

didn’t put up huge numbers in Florida but they were respectable. Look for him to embrace the Motor City

once again.

10.   Brandon Prust was a guy who was well-liked in the Rangers organization. He plays a tough, gritty

game that should play well with the Canadiens, an organization that is constantly looking to get bigger

and grittier.

We’ll learn who the winners and losers of the NHL free agent game are this season, but who do you

think came out on top with these signings and the trades that have gone down so far?