3 biggest surprises from Day 1 of NHL free agency 

The first day of NHL free agency is now over, and this class took a hit after Mitch Marner was part of a sign-and-trade, and the Florida Panthers re-signed their three biggest free agents.

However, some good players were still available, and there were key surprises on the opening day of free agency.

3 biggest surprises from Day 1 of NHL free agency

#1, Canucks re-sign Brock Boeser

After Brock Boeser hit the open market, all signs pointed to him leaving the Vancouver Canucks.

Boeser had requested a trade during his tenure with the Canucks, and the sides couldn’t agree on an extension before free agency opened. However, Boeser ended up signing a seven-year, $50.75 million deal to re-sign with Vancouver.

Boeser finished last season with 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points in 75 games.

#2, Kings signings

The Los Angeles Kings were a major surprise on Day 1 of free agency.

The Kings have yet to get out of the first round since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014, which includes several years of not making the playoffs. After losing to Edmonton in four straight years, general manager Ken Holland tried to be aggressive but made some surprising moves.

LA signed defenseman Cody Ceci to a four-year, $18 million deal; defenseman Brian Dumoulin to a three-year, $12 million deal; winger Joel Armia to a two-year, $5 million deal; goalie Anton Forsberg to a two-year, $4.5 million deal; and forward Corey Perry to a one-year deal.

The Ceci and Dumoulin deals were surprising, as they seemed like overpays. Overall, what LA did in free agency was unexpected.

#3, Jake Allen re-signing with Devils

Jake Allen re-signed with New Jersey - Source: Imagn

Jake Allen was set to be the top free agent goalie available and could have signed with a team where he had a chance to start.

Yet, before free agency opened at noon, Allen re-signed with New Jersey on a five-year deal worth $1.8 million per season.

Allen could have gotten around $3 million to $4 million per season over two to three years and had a chance to start. It was surprising that he didn’t even hit the open market.