Free Agency: Clarkson, Weiss, and Ribeiro headline big signings of the day July 05, 2013

With Day 1 of free agency now in full swing, here is a quick recap of some of the highlights thus far:

David Clarkson signed a long-term deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, averaging $5.25 million a year over seven years. The Maple Leafs also re-signed center Tyler Bozak, inking him to a five year, $21 million contract extension. For more on this story, keep reading the CBC.ca piece here.

Stephen Weiss is now a member of the Detroit Red Wings. After 10 seasons with the Florida Panthers, the 30-year-old centerman signed a deal worth $24.5 million over 5 years. For more on the Weiss signing, check out the Sports.Yahoo.com article here.

Mike Ribeiro is heading back south, this time as a member of the Phoenix Coyotes. The Montreal native signed a four-year, $22 million deal, rejoining his old coach with Dallas, Dave Tippett.  For more on Ribeiro’s move to the desert, check out the ESPN.com article here.

On the trade front, the biggest news of the day was the transaction involving the Ottawa Senators and the Anaheim Ducks.  The Senators acquired the services of Bobby Ryan in return for Stefan Noesen, Jacob Silfverberg, and a 1^st round pick in 2014. Keep reading the CBC.ca story here.