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Free Agency Winners and Losers

Ottawa Senators v Philadelphia Flyers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 31: Daniel Alfredsson #11 of the Ottawa Senators looks on during a faceoff against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on March 31, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

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Feel free to check back in a few years to see if these verdicts still hold, but for now...

Winner: Detroit Red Wings

Yes, there are questions about Daniel Alfredsson (isn’t he kind of old?) and Stephen Weiss (didn’t he have, like, one goal last year?), but the fact these two guys picked Detroit showed the Red Wings are still a destination franchise.

In explaining his tough decision to leave Ottawa, Alfredsson said he liked the style Mike Babcock coaches, how stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg perform “extremely well” when the games count, and the way the organization is committed to winning.

“Everyone knows Detroit’s goals are always to be at the top of the game and to win championships,’' he said. “I’m really excited to get this opportunity at this stage of my career to go for a Stanley Cup and fulfill a longtime dream.’'

Loser: St. Louis Blues

General manager Doug Armstrong targeted centers Weiss and Valtteri Filppula on Friday; he ended up with Derek Roy on Saturday. No disrespect to Roy, but when you don’t get the guys you want, it’s hard to call you a winner in free agency. As much regular-season success as the Blues have had the past two years, and as much young talent as they continue to boast, they’re still a budget-beholden team with a coach in Ken Hitchcock that offensive-minded players don’t line up to play for.

Winner: power forwards

Nathan Horton, David Clarkson, and Ryane Clowe all signed huge deals on Friday. The money they got (combined around $100 million) was one thing, but the term (combined 19 years) was the real eye-opener. Horton and Clowe each have detailed injury histories (including concussions), which makes perfect sense given the way they play. The risk the Blue Jackets, Maple Leafs and Devils assumed, respectively, shows how important this type of player is considered when it comes to having success in the postseason.

Loser: goalies

Mike Smith being the exception after signing a $34 million deal with the Coyotes. The non-exceptions include Ray Emery, Anton Khudobin, Jason LaBarbera, and Nikolai Khabibulin, all of whom put up good to great numbers in 2013 (albeit in backup roles) and signed for peanuts. Of the four, Emery is the most likely starter next season; compete for the number-one job in Philadelphia with Steve Mason, all the while making just $1.65 million. Emery hasn’t been a full-time starter in the NHL since undergoing surgery for avascular necrosis in 2010 -- a factor that no doubt went against him in negotiations.

Winner: Phoenix Coyotes

We already mentioned Smith’s deal; the Coyotes, with a new owner (finally), also got center Mike Ribeiro for four years and $22 million. It’s worth noting that the one big thing Ribeiro wanted was term, and it was Phoenix -- a team that’s been known for anything but stability in recent years -- that was able to give it to him. “I’m trying to be stable somewhere for a while, that’s important,” Ribeiro said. “The fact that they confirmed they’d stay there for a few years, that’s a good thing. Obviously that was a big part.”

Loser: Washington Capitals

All of a sudden, the Caps are looking a bit thin down the middle. No more Ribeiro. Also, no more Matt Hendricks, who went to Nashville. Washington GM George McPhee wasn’t in the best position cap-wise to give those two big deals, but he still has to address the departures. Could Mikhail Grabovski, bought out by the Maple Leafs, be an option?