As the 2023 NHL offseason officially kicked off, the first day of free agency brought a flurry of significant signings and surprising moves. Top players like John Tavares, who inked a three-year deal with the Boston Bruins, and Connor Hellebuyck, who signed a six-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, made headlines, but not everyone fared as well. Meanwhile, some teams made savvy signings, such as the Florida Panthers' acquisition of veteran forward Jonathan Huberdeau, while others struggled to make a splash. Who were the biggest winners and losers of the first day of NHL free agency, and what do these moves mean for the future of their respective teams?

Biggest winners and losers in NHL free agency day 1  The Big Lead