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.

The Ilya Kovalchuk rumors are over as the 26-year-old has been traded to the New Jersey Devils from the Atlanta Thrashers for a first round draft pick in the next NHL Draft, prospect Patrice Cormier, forward Niclas Bergfors, and defensemen Johnny Oduya. The Russian left winger is currently the fifth leading scorer in the NHL adding significant goal-scoring prowess to the Devils’ roster. Currently sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference, the New Jersey Devils were already poised to make a run at Lord Stanley’s Cup in 2010, but a player with the quality of Kovalchuk makes them a real contender. The addition of Kovalchuk will give the Devils two lines with prominent left wingers as their leading scorer prior to transaction was American Zach Praise. The Devils also have one of the league’s best goalies in Martin Brodeur who is currently second in the NHL in wins. Kovalchuk, a three time all-star and starter on the Russian National Team, gives the Devils an elite attacking player who could truly help New Jersey compete with anyone in the NHL. The Devils’ move for Kovalchuk will certainly make the coming NHL playoffs even more interesting.

Statistically speaking, right winger for the New Jersey Devils Dainius Zubrus could have beaten the Tampa Bay Lightning team by himself. Of the 7 team goals scored in the 7-3 Devils victory over the Lightning, Zubrus tallied four. For him, this avalanche of goal scoring comes at the perfect time. After beginning the season very slowly, perhaps some of Zubrus’ confidence was being shaken. However, after his intensive output yesterday, you can expect a lot more from Zubrus.

After shutting down 25 shots on goal from the Atlanta Thrashers and leading his team to a 1-0 win, Martin Brodeur tallied up his 97th career shutout. For him to hit the century-mark on shutouts would be impressive enough, but he’s also got a chance to become the NHL record-holder for most shutouts. Currently, Terry Sawchuk holds that distinguished title with 103 shutouts. If Brodeur, 36, can accomplish this feat only 7 more times, he will secure his spot in the NHL history books.

New Jersey Devils’ general manager Lou Lamoriello isn’t foolin’ around anymore. After last season’s embarrassing fourth-worst goals per game ratio (2.42 per game), Lamoriello has added some much need firepower to the near-absent Devils offense, adding veterans Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik.

Bringing back Rolston, a former Devils player, from the Minnesota Wild should give the Devils incredible goal scoring power. Though Rolston is now 35, age has not slowed him one bit. In his last three seasons he posted 30-plus goals. Holik, too, is no stranger to double-digit goal scoring seasons. In his twenty year career (he is now 37 years old) he has never failed to put up at least 10 goals in the NHL. Often, he scored in the mid twenties.

The addition of these powerful attackers, as well as the retention of defender Bryce Salvador and goalie Martin Brodeur, should propel the Devils into the postseason. Brodeur, the backbone of the Devils, was one of the sole reasons that the Devils were able to stay in the playoff hunt for so long last season. Now that they have some scoring power the Devils can take some of the pressure off of Brodeur.

The New Jersey Devils have re-signed defensemen Sheldon Brookbank and Mike Mottau into their team and there has been no details provided on either the contract terms or the financial obligations. Mottau, a 30 year old, was in the Devils team as a free agent since July and was the leading defensive man for the Devils in all the games that he participated. Brookbank has been brought into the Devils team from Columbus last October and played in 44 games for the Devils this season and has had eight assists as well. The New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said that he was very happy to have these two defensemen in the team.