A Day in the NHL: Busy First Day of NHL Free Agency, Big Fish Still Out There; Radulov Back to KHL?

–Zach Parise and Ryan Suter remain un-signed after one day of free agency. Both are being hotly pursued. While many feel that the Detroit Red Wings are amongst the leaders for Suters’ services, Parise has entertained offers from a number of teams. Teams that have reportedly made pitches are the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers.

-The Carolina Hurricanes made big news on the opening day of free agency, inking newly acquired Jordan Staal to a ten-year extension, that will see him earn $60-million. GM Jim Rutherford feels that this move/signing changes the way the Hurricanes will be viewed around the NHL.

–Alexander Radulov looks to be headed back to the KHL. The forward, who returned to finish his entry-level contract with the Nasvhille Predators late this season, has agreed to a four-year deal with CSKA Moscow that will see him earn $9.2-million a season.

–Jason Garrison signed the biggest deal of the day, landing a six-year, $27.6-million contract with the Vancouver Canucks. The 27-year old scored 16 goals and 33 points for the Florida Panthers last year, and is a British Columbia native.

–PA Parenteau will be suiting up for a new team as well next year. The 29-year old right winger has scored 120 points over the last two seasons with the New York Islanders (161 games) and will be looking for similar success with the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs signed Parenteau to a four-year, $16-million deal. The Avs also added John Mitchell (two-years, $2.2-million) and Greg Zanon (two years, $4.5-million) on day one.

-The Anaheim Ducks made a number of moves to solidify their blueline yesterday. They came to terms on a three-year, $11-million deal with Sheldon Souray, and a three-year, $10.5-million deal with Bryan Allen. The Ducks also added former Capital Jordan Henry on a one-year deal ($600,000).

-Buffalo added a little toughness to their blueline, signing former New York Ranger John Scott to a one-year, $600,000 contract.

-The Carolina Hurricanes brought back three familiar faces yesterday. Goaltender Justin Peters (two-years, $1.075-million) and forward Brett Sutter (one-year, $500,000) both re-signed, while the team signed Joe Corvo to a one-year, $2-million contract. Corvo has spent parts of four seasons with Carolina, but played last year in Boston.

–Sheldon Brookbank will be spending the next two years in Chicago. The Blackhawks gave the defenceman a two-year, $5-million contract.

–Adrian Aucoin has found a new NHL home in Columbus. The 38-year old signed a one-year deal with the Blue Jackets for $2-million after spending three seasons in Phoenix. Curtis McElhinney also re-signed with the club.

–Ray Whitney seems to be getting better with age and he’s getting paid like it. The Dallas Stars gave the 40-year old a two-year, $9-million deal, while handing Aaron Rome a three-year contract worth $4.5-million.

-In Detroit, the Red Wings added some small, but effective pieces. They gave goaltender Jonas Gustavsson a two-year, $3-million contract, former Red Wing Mikael Samuelsson came back on a two-year, $6-million offer, and Central Division foe Jordin Tootoo earned a three-year, $5.7-million deal.

-After the glory of landing Justin Schultz a day earlier, Sunday was spent negotiating re-signings in Edmonton. Ryan Smyth (two-years, $4.5-million), Yann Danis (one-year, $775,000), and Darcy Hordichuk (one-year, $850,000) will all remain with Edmonton.

-The Florida Panthers retained the services of goalie Scott Clemmensen and forward Greg Rallo yesterday, while dipping into the market and picking up George Parros (two-years, $1.85-million) and Filip Kuba (two-years, $8-million).

-It looks like the Stanley Cup champions will be intact next year. The Los Angeles Kings came to an agreement with their last notable free agent, Dustin Penner, on a one-year, $3.25-million deal.

–Torrey Mitchell (three-years, $5.75-million) and Zenon Konopka (two-years, $1.85-million) are the two newest members of the Minnesota Wild.

-The Montreal Canadiens added four new bodies to their roster yesterday. Former Toronto Maple Leaf Colby Armstrong (one-year, $1-million) and former New York Ranger Brandon Prust (four-years, $10-million) joined the forward ranks, while Francis Bouillon (one-year, $1.5-million) joined the team for his third tour of duty, and goalie Cedrick Desjardins signed on as well for one season.

-Nashville was another team bringing back a familiar face, as the Predators brought Chris Mason back into the fold with a one-year, $1.25-million offer, while also re-signing enforcer Brian McGratton to a one-year deal.

-The New Jersey Devils solidified the situation between the pipes as they re-signed Martin Brodeur ($9-million) and Johan Hedberg ($2.8-million) to two-year contracts on Monday.

-While the Colorado Avalanche thought they had landed Matt Carkner, things fell apart and he ended up with the New York Islanders later in the day for three years and $4.5-million. The Isles also signed Eric Boulton away from New Jersey, and landed Brad Boyes with a one-year, $1-million contract as well.

-The Rangers were pretty quiet on the opening day of free agency, handing out a handful of low-cost contracts. Arron Asham signed on for two-years at $2-million and Michael Haley agreed to a two-year deal as well, while Kris Newbury and Stu Bickell both re-signed with the team.

-Two former members of the Minnesota Wild will be playing for the Ottawa Senators next season. Defenceman Mike Lundin signed a one-year, $1.15-million contract with the team, while Guillame Latendresse signed on for a little more, at one-year and $1.25-million. The Senators also made a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, acquiring defenceman Marc Methot for forward Nick Foligno.

–Michael Leighton should find himself back in the NHL next year after signing a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.

-Goaltender Chad Johnson and forward David Moss (two-years, $4.2-million) will both be playing for the Phoenix Coyotes next year.

–Tanner Glass is one of the newest Pittsburgh Penguins after signing on for two years and $2.2-million, while Jeff Zatkoff landed himself a two-year contract as well at $1.05-million, and Steve McIntyre re-signed for two-years as well.

–Adam Burish will be $7.2-million richer after four years with the San Jose Sharks. After day one of free agency he’s the newest Shark.

-The Tampa Bay Lightning were able to retain the services of Benoit Pouliot with a one-year, $1.8-million contract after acquiring his rights from Boston at the draft. Tampa also signed long-time Vancouver Canuck Sami Salo to a two-year deal worth $7.5-million.

-In Toronto, the Maple Leafs are hoping Jay McClement can help the team’s penalty kill after giving him a two-year, $3-million contract. The team also re-signed Ryan Hamilton and restricted free agent Matt Frattin.

-The Vancouver Canucks made just one move over the first day-and-a-half of free agency, re-signing forward Andrew Ebbett to a one-year, $600,000 deal.

–Joey Crabb will be moving his hockey career to the Capital of the United States. Crabb signed a one-year $950,000 contract with the Capitals.

-The Winnipeg Jets made one re-signing and dipped into the market as well on Sunday. The team re-signed defenceman Derek Meech to a one-year ($700,000) deal, while also signing Alex Ponikarovsky to a one-year, $1.8-million contract.