The Metropolitan Division is only going to get more difficult and on the first day of free agency, many teams took a big leap.
Which teams came out on top? These are the players that they signed that will make an NHL impact.
Carolina Hurricanes
Right Wing Justin Williams: Williams signed a two-year deal worth 4.5 million annually with the Hurricanes. This past season he scored 24 goals and helped with 24 assists for a 48 point season for the Capitals.
Center Josh Jooris: Jooris signed a one-year deal with the Hurricanes worth 775,000 annually. In 42 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season, he posted 10 points.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Defenseman Andre Benoit: Benoit signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Blue Jackets for 800,000 annually. Benoit will likely play in the American Hockey League (AHL) next season. This past season he played for the Malmo Redhawks in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
Defenseman Cameron Gaunce: Gaunce signed with the Blue Jackets on a one-year, two-way deal with the Blue Jackets worth 600,000 dollars annually. Like Benoit, Gaunce will see time with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL next season. Last season, Gaunce played 12 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
New Jersey Devils
Center Brian Boyle: Boyle signed a two-year deal with the Devils worth 2.55 million annually. Boyle saw time with both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs last season. Between the two clubs, he put up a total of 25 points.
Defenseman Brian Strait: Strait was brought on by the Devils in a one-year deal worth 650,000 annually. Strait played five games this past season with the Winnipeg Jets where he posted two points.
New York Islanders
Defenseman Seth Helgeson: Helgeson was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders after playing in nine games for the Devils last season. He scored one goal in those games.
New York Rangers
Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk: Likely the biggest move in all of free agency yesterday, Shattenkirk signed for four years and 6.65 million annually, bringing the total of his contract to 26.6 million. In 80 games this past regular season, Shattenkirk put up 56 points including 13 goals and 43 assists.
Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec: Pavelec signed a one-year deal with the Rangers for a total of 1.3 million annually. In eight games last season with the Winnipeg Jets, Pavelec posted a .888 save percentage in all situations.
Philadelphia Flyers
Goaltender Brian Elliott: Elliott signed a two-year deal with the Flyers that will pay him 2.75 annually. In 49 games this past season with the Calgary Flames, he posted a .910 save percentage in all situations.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Defenseman Justin Schultz: Although a re-signing, this was the Penguins big move of the day. Schultz signed a three-year contract yesterday worth an annual value of 5.5 million. In 78 games last season, Schultz posted 51 points.
Goaltender Antti Niemi: Niemi signed a one-year contract worth 700,000 annually. Niemi was recently bought out by the Dallas Stars. He will likely serve as the team's backup. Last season he played in 37 games posting a .892 save percentage in all situations.
Defenseman Matt Hunwick: Hunwick signed a three-year deal with the Penguins worth 2.25 million annually. In 72 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, Hunwick posted 19 points including one goal and 18 assists.
Center Gregg McKegg: McKegg signed a one-year deal with the Penguins worth 650,000 annually. He played 46 games with the Lightning last season posting seven points.
Left Wing Tom Sestito: Sestito signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Penguins worth 650,000 annually. In 13 games last season with the Penguins, Sestito had 48 penalty minutes.
Defenseman Zach Trotman: Trotman signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Penguins worth 650,000 annually. In 38 games with the Boston Bruins last season, Trotman posted seven points including two goals and five assists.
Washington Capitals
Right Wing Anthony Peluso: Peluso was the sole signing for the Capitals yesterday. He signed a one-year, two-way deal with the team worth 650,000 annually. Peluso did not play in the NHL in 2016-17.
