Blink and you'll miss another deal

Courtesy of bizjournals.com

It's been a crazy afternoon of trades and signings in the NHL. Let's see if I can sort some of this out.

• Detroit Red Wings sign Daniel Alfredsson for one season and Stephen Weiss for five years. Both are good moves for the Wings, who know they must get better in order to compete in the Eastern Conference. But, it's going to be awkward for Alfredsson the first time Detroit visits Ottawa.
  
• In response (or maybe it was already planned), Ottawa Senators trade for Anaheim's Bobby Ryan. The Ducks receive Jakob Silfverberg, prospect Stefan Noesen and a draft pick in return. So, Ottawa loses a 40-year-old goal scorer and picks up a 26-year-old goal scorer. Advantage, Sens.
  
• Columbus Blue Jackets sign free agent Nathan Horton. Along with trading for Marian Gaborik during the latter stages of this season, this gives the Blue Jackets additional fire power on offense. But given Horton's unfortunate history of injuries during the playoffs, Columbus might want to sign or trade for a proven postseason performer.
  
• Phoenix ... I'm sorry ... Arizona Coyotes (that's what they'll be called now) sign Mike Ribeiro. Acquiring Ribeiro (423 career assists, 609 career points) should pump some life into the Coyotes offense, which didn't even produce a 20-goal scorer in a 48-game season.
  
• New Jersey Devils acquire Ryane Clowe. Just what the Devils need -- another hard-hitting forward. Don't they have one already in David Clarkson? Oh wait, they don't because ...
  
• Toronto Maple Leafs sign Clarkson away from New Jersey. Along with Dave Bolland, Clarkson gives the Leafs some added grit. Not much in the way of additional offense, but definitely grit.
  
• Tampa Bay Lightning sign Valtteri Filppula. Somehow, I don't think a player with 251 career points spread out over eight seasons can replace Vincent Lecavalier.
  
• Minnesota Wild sign defenseman Keith Ballard to a two-year deal. Ballard has been solid everywhere he's been, so I expect nothing less than that for him in Minnesota.
  
• Edmonton Oilers sign hometown hero Andrew Ference away from Boston -- one of four players the Oilers acquired Friday. Ference offers solid defensive skills (+6 career rating) and decent offensive skills (193 career points) for a team desperate for both.

Those are only a handful of the deals that have gone down on the first day of free agency. I may be back with more analysis if any more big deals go down.