BUFFALO -- Defensemen Cody Franson signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday and said he is eager to join a team that appears to be on the rise.

"Bringing in guys like [Ryan] O'Reilly and [Evander Kane] and a number of the acquisitions they made, and drafting a guy like [Jack] Eichel, it's an organization that's going in the right direction," Franson said at First Niagara Center. "It made my decision very easy to want to be a part of that."

The 28-year-old unrestricted free agent had seven goals and 36 points in 78 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators last season.

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the Canucks have signed forward Adam Cracknell.

Cracknell, 30, appeared in 17 games for Columbus during the 2014.15 season, registering an assist and two penalty minutes. He also split time this past season between the AHL Springfield Falcons and Chicago Wolves. With Springfield, he collected seven points (3-4-7) in 18 games and with Chicago, he posted 13 points (7-6-13) in 22 games.

The Prince Albert, Saskatchewan native made his NHL debut with the Blues during the 2010.11 season, and in parts of five seasons with St. Louis and Columbus has collected six goals and 17 points in 82 games.

The first few head-spinning hours after the free agent market opened at noon ET on July 1 featured a plethora of players joining new teams and a trade that has the potential to shift the balance of power in the Metropolitan Division in favor of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who acquired forward Phil Kessel.

The market still has several unrestricted free agents who could make a difference with a new team.

Here is a list of some of the best available (by position and in alphabetical order):

Restricted free agent forward Marcus Kruger is not concerned he hasn't signed a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks for this season, according to ESPN.com.

"I want to have it done. I think that's for everyone," said Kruger, who spent Tuesday with the Stanley Cup with former Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya in Sweden. "But I don't feel too stressed out about it, yet at least. We have another month until training camp."

Forward Mike Santorelli signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.

Financial terms were not released, but ESPN.com reported the contract is worth $875,000.

The Anaheim Ducks signed left wing Carl Hagelin, a restricted free agent, to a four-year contract Friday. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the Orange County Register reported it is worth $16 million, an average annual value of $4 million.

The Ducks acquired Hagelin from the New York Rangers along with picks in the second and sixth rounds of the 2015 NHL Draft on June 27 in a trade for left wing Emerson Etem and a second-round pick.

"It was just a matter of finding the right term and the right number," Hagelin said. "They made a commitment to me with a four-year deal. For me, it's the perfect fit. You have some security going into the season feeling wanted and feeling like you can be a big part of the team. It's one of those deals where they're committed to me and I'm committed to them."

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Arizona Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed defenseman Brandon Gormley to a one-year, two-way contract. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The 23-year-old Gormley registered 2-2-4 and 10 penalty minutes (PIM) in 27 games with the Coyotes in 2014-15. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound native of Murray River, Prince Edward Island also recorded 3-7-10 and 18 PIM in 23 games with the Portland Pirates (AHL) last season.

Gormley has totaled 2-2-4 and 12 PIM in 32 career NHL games. He was originally drafted by the Coyotes in the first round (13th overall) in the 2010 Entry Draft.

Goalie Jonathan Bernier signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.

Financial terms were not released, but Sportsnet reported it is worth $8.3 million, an average annual value of $4.15 million.

"I was happy we were able to get a deal done," Bernier said in comments tweeted by the Maple Leafs. "Now I can focus on training camp and get ready for the season."

Bernier, 26, requested a one-year, $5.1 million contract; the Maple Leafs offered a one-year $2.89 million contract, according to Sportsnet. Bernier had a team-elected arbitration hearing Friday.

Forward Erik Haula agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.

Financial terms were not released, but the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported it is worth $2 million with Haula being paid $950,000 in the first year and $1.05 million in the second.