NHL: Top Signed Free Agents

The NHL off-season is almost over and some remarkable trades, signs, and moves have been made. The 2007-2008 season is set to begin on September 29 in London, England. The game being played at the O2 Arena will be the first ever regular season game to be played in Europe. The Los Angeles Kings and the 2006-07 Stanley Cup Champs, the Anaheim Ducks, are set to battle it out. Before that can happen we need to discuss the great signings around the NHL.

Daniel Briere, formerly of the Buffalo Sabers, signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. Briere was outstanding last season and the Flyers could use a strong center. Daniel Briere might be small in stature but he is the biggest name in the NHL at the moment. Signed Sunday, Briere was the co-captain on the Sabers team.

The Flyers were named as one of the worst teams at the end of the 06-07 season, but not only did they acquire a great center from Buffalo. They made a deal with the Edmonton Oilers to get defenseman Jason Smith and forward Jeffrey Lupul. Smith and Lupul are both talents to be reckoned with this upcoming season. So much for the worst team in the NHL, the Flyer's roster is looking like the best team in the National Hockey League.

Another loss from Buffalo, the New York Rangers signed center Chris Drury. Not only did the Rangers acquire one of the best forwards in the league, they also signed Scotty Gomez formerly of the New Jersey Devils. "It's pretty exciting," Rangers general manager Glen Sather said on ESPN. "We ranked them both as number ones, and we never expected to get both of them." The Broadway Blue Shirts are looking to place Gomez with Brendan Shanahan, and Drury will be playing along side Jaromir Jagar.

Ryan Smyth, left winger, has his second home since last season. From the Oilers to the Islanders, Ryan Smyth is now going to play for the Colorado Avalanche. "Ryan is a proven, top-tier athlete in the NHL who will be an outstanding fit with our club's continued philosophy and goal of providing our fans with a dynamic and exciting product," Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere said to ESPN. "He's a player that exemplifies grit, determination and courage and will be among the future leaders of this franchise."

Speaking of left wingers, Paul Kariya was signed to the St. Louis Blues. Kariya was the top scorer for the Nashville Predators last season. The 7 time All-Star player is a nice addition to the Blues. "We are excited to announce we have signed a world class hockey player as well as a first-class person," Blues president John Davidson said on ESPN. "Paul gives us instant scoring up front as well as bringing an entertaining brand of hockey." The Blues also signed center Keith Tkachuk, formerly of the Atlanta Thrashers, a two-year contract on Saturday.

Defenseman Sheldon Souray signed with the Edmonton Oilers. Souray played with the Montreal Canadians last season. Ranking second on the team last season in goals and points, and first among NHL defensemen in goals and game-winners, Souray is a powerhouse. "I want to improve not on the numbers but on my all-around game," he said to ESPN. "And continue just to try and be a leader and to do the things the organization's going to expect me to do coming in there."

This is just a short list of the top picks during the off-season. For a detailed list of NHL free agents see ESPN's list. There's still time for many teams to make some big trades!

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/feature/featureIndex?page=nhlfreeagency2007