The first day of NHL free agency was indeed a frenzy, with over $300 million in contracts being dished out in the first hour alone.
But teams shouldn't feel bad if they missed out on the big names Friday, as there are a number of serviceable free agents still searching for a new arena to call home next season.
Here are the top five remaining UFAs:
Jason Demers
The Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens have already been ruled out of the running to sign the former seventh-round pick, but Demers is sure to get a lot of attention as one of the best right-handed defenseman available.
Widely regarded for his defensive play, the 28-year-old scored a career-high seven goals in 62 games last season with the Dallas Stars, and may fetch around $5.5 million per year to take a spot in a team's top four D-men.
Jiri Hudler
Despite a disappointing 46-point campaign this past season, Hudler is only one year removed from a 2014-15 season when he recorded 31 goals and 76 points with the Calgary Flamesl. He's arguably the most skilled forward still without a team.
Though he was picked up as a rental by the Florida Panthers ahead of the trade deadline, a return to Sunrise appears unlikely. There's been little word of interest in the Lady Byng winner, and the 32-year-old may see a slight pay cut from his previous $4-million salary.
Kris Russell
Another former Star, Russell - like Demers - is bound for a significant raise on the open market with the Canucks, Canadiens, and Maple Leafs all rumored to be interested in his services.
The 29-year-old made little impact with Dallas after a trade-deadline deal from the Flames, but his status as one of the league's top shot-blockers has made him a priority for a number of teams.
Kris Versteeg
If a team is looking to add postseason experience to their dressing room, they should take a long look at Versteeg, who won a pair of Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 and 2015.
The 30-year-old split last season between the Hurricanes and Kings, racking up 38 points in 77 games. He's a solid depth forward option that has hit the 20-goal mark three times in his career.
Radim Vrbata
Vrbata earned a trip to the 2015 All-Star Game in his first season with the Vancouver Canucks, finishing with a career-high 63 points playing alongside the Sedin twins. His contract year, however, was a huge disappointment.
The 35-year-old managed just 27 points in 2015-16, but his skill is certainly not being ignored with five teams rumored to be in the mix for the Czech winger.
Yzerman also inked backup goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy to a three-year, $10.5-million deal, and that's a solid Ben Bishop insurance policy should the Lightning decide to deal the veteran netminder (as they reportedly explored doing at the draft).
This was a critical offseason for Tampa Bay, and it's gone swimmingly so far.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres missed out on Stamkos earlier in the week, and they weren't about to let one of the other big fish in free agency get away.
Okposo's deal is reportedly for six years and $42 million, which isn't unreasonable considering his age (28), Buffalo's cap flexibility, and the fact he's been one of the most productive scoring wingers in the league over the last five seasons.
The Flames had cash to play with, and while they didn't wade into the deep end, they did sign veteran forward Troy Brouwer to a four-year, $18-million deal.
Brouwer is a perfect fit for Calgary, given his blend of scoring touch and physicality. His affordable deal gives the Flames room to lock up pending restricted free agents Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, as well as Sam Bennett, who'll become one if he's not signed after this season.
The Flames also picked up experienced backup goaltender Chad Johnson on a one-year contract for a mere $1.7 million Friday after acquiring Brouwer's former St. Louis Blues teammate, Brian Elliott, on draft night.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers have had an unusual offseason, but GM Tom Rowe and company should be smiling after Friday's moves.
The Panthers also shored up their goaltending for now and potentially years to come, signing James Reimer to a five-year, $17-million agreement.
Roberto Luongo is 37 years old, so this was a brilliant move, given Reimer's experience as a starter with the Toronto Maple Leafs and his willingness to play in a backup role on a Stanley Cup contender as he did with the San Jose Sharks.
Losers
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings had some wiggle room after dealing Pavel Datsyuk's contract away at the draft, but they made some puzzling moves Friday.
Frans Nielsen, a 32-year-old forward with two seasons of 20-or-more goals to his name, got six years and $31.5 million from Detroit GM Ken Holland.
Andrew Ladd is a consistent scoring winger, but Islanders GM Garth Snow gave the 30-year-old a seven-year, $38.5-million contract, and then signed 37-year-old Jason Chimera to a two-year pact.
Ladd should click with John Tavares if he plays with him on the top line, but Ladd's contract could come back to haunt the Islanders in a few years, and Tavares is a pending unrestricted free agent in 2019.
Shane Prince will likely have an increased role after signing for two years and $1.7 million, but the Islanders are certainly worse off now than they were when the day began.
New York GM Jeff Gorton made three signings Friday, all of them underwhelming.
The Rangers signed inconsistent forward Michael Grabner to a two-year, $3.3-million pact, and added diminutive center Nathan Gerbe on a one-year deal.
After losing Keith Yandle and failing to rid themselves of Dan Girardi's troublesome contract, the Rangers needed to address their blue line, but only added Adam Clendening on a two-way agreement.
Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers GM Ron Hextall made it clear that he needed to add "scoring and play-making" this summer, but did little to accomplish that on Day 1 of free agency.
He signed Dale Weise to a four-year, $9.4-million deal, and while that's not an astronomical amount of money, giving that kind of term to a winger who scored a career-high 14 goals this season raises questions.
Philadelphia rounded out the day by signing center Boyd Gordon, who's devoid of offensive skill, and 28-year-old AHL sniper Andy Miele.
Brayden Schenn is weighing a qualifying offer, but even if he accepts it, the Flyers didn't do enough to address their biggest concern.
Paul Bissonnette's fists and fingers have provided entertainment for hockey fans for years.
He was at it again at the start of the NHL's free agency period on Friday, having a little fun with his job search as it unfolded.
"The biggest thi...
DENVER - The Colorado Avalanche were busy in free agency Friday, signing a crop of players that includes forward Joe Colborne.
The 26-year-old Colborne agreed to a two-year deal as he leaves Calgary after a season in which he set a career hig...
Okposo left the New York Islanders on Friday, signing a seven-year deal with Buffalo reportedly worth $42 million.
"What sold me was the chance to win a Stanley Cup," Okposo said, according to the Times Herald's Bill Hoppe. "I think we have a lot of pieces in play that can help us achieve that goal."
Kyle Okposo talked with Matt Moulson, Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek before signing with Sabres and liked everything he heard.
The Sabres are rebuilding, but landing Okposo - who's posted 50 or more points in each of the last three seasons, and 60 or more in two of the last three - is a coup. He was one of the most coveted free-agent forwards on the market.
While he enjoyed his time playing alongside John Tavares, Okposo is looking forward to playing with Jack Eichel.
"He's got superstar status, and you definitely need that to win a Stanley Cup," he said.
Okposo added that there were no negotiations between his camp and the Islanders upon the conclusion of the season.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Predators have signed defencemen Yannick Weber and Matt Irwin to one-year contracts.
Weber's deal is worth $575,000. Irwin agreed to a two-way contract worth $575,000 at the NHL level and $150,000 at the Ameri...
The 27-year-old spent the last three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, and had a career year in 2014-15, posting 11 goals and 10 assists. Last year, he struggled, with just seven points and a minus-17 rating in 45 games.
As a member of the Canucks, he wore the No. 6 sweater, but Adam Vingan of the Tennessean reports the new acquisition isn't expected to don the number in Nashville. It was most recently worn there by former captain Shea Weber, who was traded to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.
General manager Jim Benning doesn't plan to buy out Burrows, he told media Friday following news that the club signed unrestricted free agent Loui Eriksson to a six-year contract.
Benning on a Burrows buyout when second window opens in August: "No. He's going to be part of our group." #Canucks
The 35-year-old is coming off his 11th season with the Canucks, in which he posted his lowest point total in a full season since the 2006-07 campaign. Burrows found the back of the net just nine times while adding 13 assists in 79 games.
He has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $4.5 million.
The newest member of the Edmonton Oilers signed a whopping seven-year, $42-million contract on the first day of free agency and met with the media hours later.
"It's such a refreshing feeling to come into a situation like this," Lucic said. "It's time for this team to have some attitude and swagger. I want to bring that to the lineup."
Lucic added that he'd been texting Oilers phenom Connor McDavid throughout the day, and said the chance to play with a generational talent like No. 97 doesn't come around often.
"Hopefully (head coach) Todd (McLellan) puts us on a line together," Lucic, who will wear No. 27, said.
"(Lucic) is a terrific, impactful player," general manager Peter Chiarelli said. "He's going to change a lot here just by the way he plays."
It's been a busy week for Chiarelli, who traded fan favorite and offensive dynamo Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Adam Larsson on Wednesday.
"I'm really happy with what we've done," Chiarelli said.
Milan Lucic on Edmonton's new rink: "I think it's the best arena in the world for sports."
