Free Agency Winners

The season is over, the playoffs are over, the draft is over, it's a sad day when there's no more Hockey. Life goes on, jobs, kids, and long suffering spouses all take center stage again. Alex is still rocking around Toronto and has, for inexplicable reasons, embraced baseball. We still have two months to wait until the return of the football season. The hockey season is even further away, over three months. Damn,

July 1st brought not only Canada Day for our friends up north, but also Free Agency Day; the NHL equivalent of Black Friday. It's usually a belter. It's the day when GMs tasked with rebuilding their teams are able to snap up all of the superstars whose contracts came to an end at midday. Here's some of the most notable moves:

Ryan Miller - Vancouver Canucks

I'd imagine it's tough being a Canucks fan, the pressure to bag that elusive first Stanley Cup has seen lots of changes in BC recently. Starting at the back is never a bad idea and bringing in Ryan Miller is a great move. The Michigan native has been one of the few highlights from a fairly dismal few seasons in Buffalo.

Jarome Iginla - Colorado Avalanche

There's not a hockey team on the planet that wouldn't be improved by the addition of Iginla. Colorado is no exception to this and picked up the 37 year old winger. Iginla tallied 30 goals and 31 assists with the Boston Bruins last season, but due to salary cap limitations, couldn't stay in Massachusetts. The Avs are looking to build on last season's awesome regular season results and become a playoff contender. Iginla's experience will definitely help with that.

Paul Stastny - St. Louis

Paul Stastny is not a player who sets the world alight, he doesn't deke like Datsyuk or hit like Kronwall, but that doesn't matter. Stastny gets the goals and assists, but he also makes the players around him better. St. Louis are a team that have always looked alright, but there's always something missing. The addition of Stastny to the roster will provide additional firepower and a mentor for the younger skaters.

Alex's Freé Agency Pícks

Like Mike's say I am currently living out in Toronto having moved there back in June (Greetings Canadian Hockey Fans), though maybe heading to Halifax, NS soon! But due to this being the off season I have instead found myself being entertained by the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. But baseball is still no hockey and the withdrawals are proving a killer (and I'm not talking about Adamski). Hockey season shall soon be upon me so here are my top UFA picks

Jonas Hiller- Calgary Flames

Anaheim's decision to let Hiller go was one of the more surprising of the post season since he has easily been one of their most capable goalies in the last couple of seasons. But their loss is Cálgary's gain and this is a smart move from the boys in Alberta. Particularly since Kiprusoff's retirement, it has been open season on the Flames net- having a seasoned pro like Hiller will help stem that flow.

Jussi Jokinen- Florida Panthers

Florida is building for the future and seems determined to bring in an influx of scoring which has been absent before. Jokinen has been a consistent scorer for both Carolina and Pittsburgh previously and bringing in a player of this calibre is one of the wiser decisions management has made recently! This signing along with 1st overall pick Aaron Ekblad promised to bring exciting new hockey to the Sunshine State and Panthers fans now have reason to be excited.

Thomas Vanek- Minnesota Wild

The Austrian winger had an interesting season last year that took him to three different teams. Minnesota is still in need of a winger that can make a different and as Vanek demonstrated in the playoffs for Montreal, he is a man that can bring results. Pairing him with Zach Parise on the first line could make for a great offensive partnership- even if it sends Matt Moulson back to Buffalo.