Some major cash was thrown around to free agents this off season with Belfast, Milan and Frankfurt doing the most to improve their teams.

Belfast ($23 million spent): After gaining Nathan MacKinnon at the tail end of last season and getting Ondrej Palat with the draft lottery win, the Giants used their spending money to win the league’s  most prized free agent in Joe Pavelski, and then they offered one-year contracts to Matt Moulson and Dan Boyle.  Pavelski, as expected, signed a $9 million-per-season deal and will be with the Giants for the next three, and probably four, seasons.  Moulson also signed for $9 million, but for just one year, meaning at this time next year, Belfast General manager Chris Patton will have the chance to resign Moulson, age 31, to a smaller amount and more years. Boyle is 38 and signed a $5 million contract.

Milan ($21 million): Thomas Vanek, formerly of Geneva, and Derek Roy, formerly of Moscow, were linemates with the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL and they are together again in Italy. Both signed 1-year, $9 million deals. Mark Streit also signed a one-year deal, but for $3 million.

Frankfurt ($18.25 million): Joe Thornton, coming of his best season, moves from one Schloder Division team to another for at least a season.  He will most likely be captain of the team, but he won’t supplant Steven Stamkos on the top line. Look for him to play with Alex Steen and Ryan Clowe. Left wing Chris Higgins, 31, was signed for a year at $4 million, bringing his  EURO Cup-winning experience  with him from Moscow.  He gives the team another top penalty killer. David Legwand sat the bench in St. Petersburg last season but adds experience and leadership to the Inferno.  He is currently third on the depth chart at center, a little ahead of recently-acquired Nick Bjugstad. Power forward Ryan Clowe joins his fourth team in four years after a career-best season in Helsinki.

Munich ($11.6 million): Henrik Sedin is the biggest name signed by the Dire Wolves.  Although the Swede’s numbers tumbled steadily over his three seasons in Milan, Sedin will be looked upon to replace departed free agent Joe Thornton at center. Munich also picked up Chris Campoli  to play on one of the two top defense pairings for a year. And they regained the services of veteran David Bolland, who blossomed in Munich last season after a year in Moscow and another in Copenhagen.

London ($8 million): Daniel Sedin signed for a million dollars more than his twin did.  The left wing who scored 208 points in Oslo gives the Dons two excellent left wings – Taylor Hall is the other – and with Brandon Saad slotted third at the position, competition for the fourth line will be keen between four players. Sedin is a strong candidate to become London’s captain.

Stockholm ($6 million): Pavel Datsyuk provides a significant upgrade for the Eagles at center. Definite captain material, the complete, 36-year-old player will get a chance to play with James Van Riemsdyk and Jeff Carter on Stockholm’s top line. He will also see special teams action, but he is considered prone to injury. Mike Richards will compete with Datsyuk for top line minutes and will at least replace him if he gets injured.

St. Petersburg ($5.5 million ): Brian Boyle offers a unique set of attributes and he will play center  in Petrograd following three years in Frankfurt.  One of the biggest men in the league, he knows how to play defense and he always plays with intensity.  Miikka Kiprusoff joins his third team. He should be Pekka Rinne’s backup in goal.

Geneva ($4.8 million): Stephane Robidas and Steve Ott signed identical $2.4 million, one-year deals to join the Generals. Robidas is durable and should be a fixture on the second pairing, while Ott gives Geneva seven  comparable forwards to choose from for lines 2 and 3 in addition to Mike Fisher, Darren Helm, David Desharnais, Rickard Wallin, Sergei Kostitsyn and Nick Foligno.

Zurich ($4.5 million): Joni Pitkanen was a member of the Lions for the last two seasons,  but he decided to test free agency knowing he and Dan Boyle would be the top defensemen available. He’ll get paychecks from the same place for the next two seasons after signing with Zurich again. He has the best slapshot on the team.

Bratislava ($4 million): Corey Crawford, who was not satisfied being Cam Ward’s backup in Athens, will be given a chance to assume the top spot ahead of Craig Anderson in Bratislava’s goal.

Berlin ($3.7 million): Ville Peltonen, formerly of Copenhagen, will vie for ice time with Matt Read, Nikolai Kulemin and Jiri Tlusty on lines 2 through 4.

Edinburgh: ($1.95 million): The one-time Devil and Red Star will be an option on lines 2 through 4. Ben Smith will have to wait longer to make his EURO debut.

Madrid ($1.75 million): After the devastating loss of Pavelski to free agency, Madrid did well to resign Brian Gionta on their last attempt. The 35-year-old winger  adds a ton of leadership and experience and will play regularly on the third line.

Athens ($1.45 million): Nicklas Backstrom was signed to back up Cam Ward in goal.