Some people may complain about how the rich get richer. Marian Hossa, the top-ranked free agent in this year's class, signed a one-year contract with the defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings. The salary cap was supposed to curb the ability of big market teams to just outspend their smaller market cousins. While the system is flawed (see any number of great columns by Kevin Greenstein on this subject), the Red Wings continue to excel not because they outspend everybody but because they are better than anybody at drafting, trading and signing players. They also seem to have a knack for adding the right pieces to the puzzle at the right time (Brad Stuart, this year, for example).

The Wings found players like Henrik Zetterberg (210th overall), Pavel Datsyuk (171st overall), Tomas Holmstrom (257th overall) late in the draft. Because they are winning, they don't need to rush their young players but instead have them gradually grow into their roles and learn from established stars. The fact that they win so consistently also helps attract free agents like Hossa who took a little less money to get another shot at the Stanley Cup after this year's near miss with the Penguins. Anyone doubt that the Wings will be contenders again in 2008-09?

The Rangers made a good addition when they added defenseman Wade Redden as a free agent. The Broadway Blues have not had a top-notch power play quarterback since they traded Brian Leetch in 2004. I have no problem with the money they paid Redden, but giving him a six-year deal was excessive. Redden will be 37 by the time the contract expires and some scouts say he is already slowing down a bit. Re-signing Michal Rozsival gives New York a good mixture of youth (Dan Girardi and Marc Staal) and experience (Redden and Rozsival) on defense. The depth allowed them to trade Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman and acquire forward Nikolai Zherdev.

The Rangers may be interested in Mats Sundin but the biggest question in New York remains whether or not Jaromir Jagr will return to Broadway. The Rangers remain a team built around Jagr and the complexion of the team will change significantly without him. Jagr was by far the club's best player in the playoffs this year, proving he still can be relied upon when it counts. The biggest issue now is the length of the deal. The Rangers have offered Jagr a one-year deal but he wants at least two years. He also wants to be the highest paid player on the team, something the Rangers can probably accommodate.

The Dallas Stars made a smart pickup by getting Sean Avery. Avery is a difference maker and the Rangers record with him in the lineup reflected that (50-20-16 with him and 9-13-3 without him). They key for the Stars' leadership is to keep Avery from rubbing his teammates the wrong way and keeping his mind on the task at hand. Avery may never be a 30 goal scorer, but he's capable of 20-plus and he really gets under the skin of opponents.

The Chicago Blackhawks are back. The signing of Brian Campbell and the addition of Cristobal Huet shows that the Hawks are serious about winning. They have young talent and they have started to mend fences with their fans by televising home games, bringing back legends like Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito and broadcaster Pat Foley. The Hawks should be playoff contenders this year and more importantly are well on the way to putting themselves back on the Chicago sports map.

One team that is off to a slow start in free agency is the San Jose Sharks. San Jose lost Brian Campbell, which means they have nothing to show for their blockbuster deal at the trade deadline. While the Sharks may not be major free agent players, look for GM Doug Wilson to pull off a major trade before the season starts as he tries to solve the mystery of Team Teal's early playoff exits the past three seasons.

The Capitals are taking a gamble on goalie Jose Theodore. Theodore had two sub-par seasons before bouncing back this year and helping the Avalanche beat the Wild in the first round of the playoffs. The Caps are a resurgent club but an inconsistent season from Theodore could set back the team's momentum.

Some team will make a big addition by adding Mats Sundin. The ex-Leafs captain would be a perfect fit in Montreal where he could provide leadership for a young and talented Canadiens team. Signing with the Habs would also give Sundin a chance to contend for the Stanley Cup, something the Leafs are unlikely to do for at least another season or two. Still, Sundin announced he would be taking his time deciding his future and he is no lock to end up in Montreal.

Free agency is just beginning and teams have plenty of time to make major moves before the season starts. The early returns may be in, but the race is far from over.