NHL Free Agency Frenzy 

With the start of the NHL season less than a week away, most free agents have either stayed with their team or found a new home elsewhere. This frenzy known as the NHL Free Agency started at exactly 12 p.m. E.T. on July 1st. It seemed that numerous teams got help everywhere on the ice, while others made some questionable moves. Here are some of the most notable signings from over the summer.

  Boston Bruins: It seemed that everyone expected (or at least hoped) that the Bruins would get some help offensively. However, the Bruins were very quiet this season, with the subtraction of one of their 30 goal scorers, Jerome Iginla. Most people assumed that Iginla's one year contract would be it with the team unless they went far enough into the playoffs. This did not happen, as the Bruins got embarrassed in a game 7 loss at home to their longtime rivals, the Montreal Canadians. So it didn't come as a surprise when Iginla signed a 3-year contract with the Cup-contender Colorado Avalanche. Also, it went unnoticed the back-up goalie Chad Johnson leaving for the New York Islanders. With the stellar play of Vezna Trophy winner Tuukka Rask, Chad Johnson had an overlooked 17 win season. Despite these two loses, the Bruins should still be one of if not the best team in the Eastern Conference.

  Washington Capitals: The Capitals have one of the best players in the world on their team with Alexander Ovechkin. In addition, they also have star center Nikolas Backstrom. Even with their offensive onslaught of goals, the Capitals rank among one of the worst defensive teams in the league. However, the Capitals drastically improved their defensive woes with two key signings. The Washington Capitals acquired defensemen Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both players signed long term deals, and the two should help improve a poor defensive player. The capitals missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007 last season, and the acquisition of these two players should get them in with at least a wild card spot.

  New Jersey Devils: Last season, it seemed like every night Devils fans would watch them lose in a shootout, earning only one of a possible two points. The devils finished 0-13 in shootouts. As Devils fans are well aware of, if they had won only half of those shootouts, they would have gotten into the playoffs as the final wild card spot. So in short, the Devils weren't as bad as everyone thought they were. They had the best penalty kill in the league, and had the 6th best goals against average. The negative comes in when you realize that the Devils ranked in the bottom five in goals for average. However, the Devils improved upon their offense with the signing of Mike Cammalleri for a five year contract. In his 11 year career, he has scored over 500 points and over 200 goals. This pick up brings help to players like Jagr and Ellias. The Devils should sneak into the playoffs as either a wild card or one of the top three teams in the Metropolitan Division.