It’s been a busy day in NHL front offices with a flood of deals hitting the books in the first day of free agency. The signing spree today was headlined by the Ottawa Senators acquisition of Pittsburgh defender Sergei Gonchar. The 36-year-old is widely considered as one of the top defensmen in the NHL and will make $16.5 million over three years. The Pittsburgh Penguins were quick to move on from Gonchar by signing defenders Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek for a combinded sum of $45 million. Enterprising right winger Colby Armstrong moved on from the Atlanta Thrashers to the Toronto Mapleleafs for $9 million. Edmonton picked up Tampa Bay defensemen Kurtis Foster while the Lighting signed goalie Dan Ellis from Nashville. NY Rangers center Olli Jokinen bolted for Calgary while their East Coast rival New Jersy Devils splashed $25 million for Anton Volchenkov (formerly of the Ottawa Senators). The coming days should bring more moves so pay close attention to news coming out of your NHL team’s front office.