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Everything you need to know from the NHL's 2015 free agent 'frenzy'

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The first 48 hours of NHL free agency can quickly become a blur, so in the event you feel you may have missed anything during the whirlwind process, here's quick refresher on some of the biggest transactions of the last couple days.

Sharks sign G Martin Jones to 3-year, $9M contract

With the Antti Niemi era in San Jose now over, the Sharks locked up their potential starter of the future - barring Alex Stalock stunningly stealing the job - on the first day of free agency. Jones has appeared in just 34 games over his first two NHL seasons (with the Kings), and hit his first real bump in the road as a pro this past year, posting a disappointing save percentage of .906.

Ducks sign D Kevin Bieksa to 2-year, $8M extension

The Ducks followed up their acquisition of Bieksa, who will replace Francois Beauchemin on the blue line of a team that came within a win of the Stanley Cup Final, by extending the veteran defenseman through the 2018 season.

Blackhawks sign C Artem Anisimov to 5-year, $22.75M contract

Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman said after the team acquired Anisimov in the Brandon Saad trade that the team had been eyeing the Russian center for some time, and he proved just how enamored Chicago was with Anisimov by extending the would-be 2016 free agent through the 2020-21 season.

Anisimov will be hard-pressed to replace Saad's offensive production, but the 6-4 center gives the Blackhawks some added size up the middle.

Predators sign C Mike Ribeiro to 2-year, $7M contract

Ribeiro likely won't be the bargain he was for Nashville last season, when he scored 15 goals and added 47 assists while on a one-year, $1.05-million deal, but he's recorded 50-plus points in nine of his last 11 seasons - and tallied 47 and 49 in the other two - so the 35-year-old should still be expected to live up to his new deal.

Wild sign C Mikael Granlund to 2-year, $6M contract

The Wild came to terms with Granlund on a bridge contract that will hold him until free agency arises in 2017, but the Finnish youngster will need to prove his worth between now and then. No one doubts Granlund's skill-set and playmaking abilities, but he's yet to top the eight-goal mark in an NHL season and can stand to improve at the face-off circle.

Avalanche sign D Francois Beauchemin to 3-year, $13.5M contract

Beauchemin comes with somewhat of a hefty price tag after rebuilding his value over the last few years in Anaheim, but he should help solidify a shaky Avalanche defense that seems to be on the cusp of losing the quietly steady Jan Hejda to unrestricted free agency.

Coyotes sign D Zbynek Michalek to 2-year, $6.4M contract

Considering Arizona acquired prospect Maxim Letunov and a 2014 second-round pick in trading Michalek (and a conditional 3rd-rounder) to St. Louis at the deadline, reacquiring the veteran defenseman on a short-term deal has to be seen as a win for the rebuilding Coyotes.

Blues sign C Jori Lehtera to 3-year, $14.1M extension

As a 27-year-old rookie, Lehtera recorded 14 goals and 30 assists while centering St. Louis' impressive second line (featuring RFA Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz). Locking him up at an annual average value of $4.7 million - beginning in 2016 - is certainly the Blues banking on steady progression from Lehtera, but it's an important of securing the core of a 109-point team.

Flames sign RW Michael Frolik to 5-year, $21.5M contract

The Flames are out to prove their surprising second-round playoff run was no fluke, and adding the consistent Frolik to a deep yet unspectacular crop of forwards who likely overachieved in 2014-15 (Calgary had a top-4 PDO) is a step in the right direction. The 27-year-old has totaled 34 goals and 50 assists over the last two seasons, suiting up for 161 of 162 games in the process.

Sharks sign D Paul Martin to 4-year, $19.4M contract

After missing the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons, the Sharks set out to shore up their blue line and 25th-ranked penalty kill, and they've done both by adding Martin to the mix. The veteran defenseman is a consistent minutes-eater who can log impact ice-time on both special teams units, and should make Martin Jones' first year in the bay at least a little easier.

Penguins acquire RW Phil Kessel in 6-player trade with Maple Leafs

Kessel isn't a perfect hockey player - few are - but he's a phenomenal offensive talent who the Penguins acquired without completely selling the farm, all the while getting Toronto to chip in for his hefty salary. Phil The Thrill scored more goals than all but six players over the last seven seasons while often lining up with Tyler Bozak at center. Imagine what he can do with Sidney Crosby anchoring him.

Oilers sign D Andrej Sekera to 6-year, $33M contract

The Oilers have lucked into a once-in-a-lifetime collection of draft-aided, young offensive talent, but they desperately needed to address their blue line after another pitiful defensive performance in 2014-15. Sekera, a two-way defenseman who featured as one of the stars of 2015 free agency, is a nice start, especially since Edmonton didn't need to move any of that aforementioned offensive talent to acquire him.

Red Wings sign D Mike Green to 3-year, $18M contract

Green is no longer the offensive force that put together back-to-back 73-plus-point seasons five years ago, but the longtime Capitals mainstay is still just 29, provides Detroit with the right-handed, offensive defenseman they've been searching for, and is still a top-four caliber D-man.

Between landing Green and signing Brad Richards to a low-risk, one-year deal, the Red Wings have to be pleased with their free agent haul.

Bruins sign LW Matt Beleskey to 5-year, $19M contract

Don Sweeney continues to remodel the Bruins, and Beleskey figures to play a prominent role in that new look. After scoring 30 goals in 81 games with the Ducks this past season (playoffs included), Beleskey will join an offensively-challenged team that still features remnants from a Stanley Cup run. Considering he amassed just 35 goals over his first 264 career games, handing the 27-year-old a five-year deal brings its risks, but an AAV of $3.8 million somewhat protects Boston from the fluke-potential of Beleskey's 2014-15 campaign.

Capitals sign RW Justin Williams to 2-year, $6.5M contract

If the Caps were looking for playoff experience, they found it in the three-time Stanley Cup champion and former Conn Smythe winner. If they're looking for some consistent production, Williams should be good for another 15-plus-goal, 40-point season on a Washington team with plenty of firepower.

Capitals acquire RW T.J. Oshie in 3-player trade with Blues

Speaking of Washington's firepower, the Capitals followed up their signing of Williams by replacing Troy Brouwer with a better, younger, only slightly more expensive ($4.5M compared to $3.75M) right winger in Oshie, making for a good day for General Manager Brian MacLellan and co.

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