More photos » Nam Y. Huh - AP

"I followed your lead, buddy, and got the green."

Browse more photos »

I'm fairly certain that was a record in terms of spending on July 1 for the NHL. Here's a timeline as to what was spent per hour on Wednesday, from noon until midnight:

So those were the hours to tune into the TSN gabfest.

Here's a look back at the 20 biggest money deals, from Anderson to Zanon, and my thoughts after the jump:

1. Marian Hossa, Chicago, 12 years, $5.23-million per
2. Marian Gaborik, NY Rangers, five years, $7.5-million per
3. Mike Cammalleri, Montreal, five years, $6-million per
4. Martin Havlat, Minnesota, six years, $5-million per
5. Mattias Ohlund, Tampa Bay, seven years, $3.75-million per
6. Brian Gionta, Montreal, five years, $5-million per
7. Mike Komisarek, Toronto, five years, $4.5-million per
8. Nikolai Khabibulin, Edmonton, four years, $3.75-million per
9. Jaroslav Spacek, Montreal, three years, $3.83-million per
10. Steve Sullivan, Nashville, two years, $3.75-million per
11. Erik Cole, Carolina, two years, $2.9-million per
12. Mike Knuble, Washington, two years, $2.8-million per
13. John Madden, Chicago, one year, $2.75-million
14. Sami Pahlsson, Columbus, three years, $2.65-million per
15. Dwayne Roloson, NY Islanders, two years, $2.5-million per
16. Hal Gill, Montreal, two years, $2.25-million per
17. Chris Neil, Ottawa, four years, $2-million per 
18. Greg Zanon, Minnesota, three years, $1.93-million per
19. Craig Anderson, Colorado, two years, $1.8-million per
20. Matt Walker, Tampa Bay, four years, $1.7-million per

The savviest moves: Pahlsson to the Blue Jackets is a bargain at that price, although it'll be interesting what sort of offence he can provide given he replaces Manny Malhotra. I really like Colorado taking a chance on Anderson, especially at that price. The Wild made out well in getting Zanon and Havlat, who signed a smaller contract that the one he was on the past three years despite coming off a solid season. Carolina reupped with Cole for quite a bit less than he was making previously, and he could pay off at that salary, and the Blackhawks should benefit from the Madden signing. I also liked what the Capitals did in getting Knuble, who will play well with Ovechkin, and thought the Preds did well under their budget by locking up Sullivan and Ward.

On the fence: I love what Gaborik brings to the table as an offensive player — he's one of the five or six most dynamic players in the league, and that was playing in Minnesota — but his health is always going to be a concern and that's a huge ticket. The Rangers also now desperately need help at centre, which was the major issue with dumping Scott Gomez. Ohlund is a good fit in Tampa in that he'll work well with Victor Hedman, but they had to overpay to woo him to a dysfunctional franchise. And I'll say this much for what Bob Gainey's doing in Montreal: This team isn't any worse than it was in 2008-09. Everyone but Gill is overpaid, but that doesn't show up in the standings if they all produce and these are character players.

Radim Vrbata errata: I have no clue why anyone wanted to pay Neil that kind of money. (This is officially the worst two-year fall from Cup finalist in league history.) Ditto for Komisarek, who while a serviceable defensive defenceman, is not a major upgrade over someone like Zanon or Rob Scuderi. (Seriously, look at the numbers.) And as for the Khabibulin deal, Tyler Dellow's convinced me it really wasn't the way to go:

Goalies don’t do keep playing very far beyond the age of 36, which was Khabibulin’s age by hockey-reference.com’s calculation. 28 goalies in NHL history have played at least 35 games at the age of 36. 18 goalies in NHL history have played at least 35 games at the age of 37. 10 goalies in NHL history have played at least 35 games at the age of 38. 8 goalies in NHL history have played at least 35 games at the age of 39. 4 goalies in NHL history have played at least 35 games at the age of 40.

Sure the cap hit looks low for someone of Khabibulin's stature, but he was an older goaltender when he signed that deal in Chicago, and now he's on the verge of being a really old goaltender. Nine months ago, we were talking about the Blackhawks forcing him into being put out to pasture in the KHL! Besides, the number of 37-year-old 'tenders that have had good seasons is a lot lower than 18, and I have a hard time seeing the Oilers getting value out of this contract beyond the first or second year.

Besides, where else was Khabibulin going to go? What leverage did he have in negotiations? And wouldn't either he or Marty Biron have taken a discount in order to fill the last starter's role in the league? Let them bid each other down.

But, alas, that makes too much sense, and it was, after all, July 1.