How badly did the Buffalo Sabres get trampled in the NHL's free-agent stampede?

Enough for New York Rangers general manager Glen Sather to almost feel sorry for his Eastern Conference rival.

"I have some kind of mixed feeling," Sather said Sunday. "I'm happy we got an opportunity to get these players. From Buffalo's perspective, I'm sure they're not happy these two guys left. But that's the nature of the beast."

The Rangers made the biggest splash on a frenzied first day of free agency, signing two of the five top-echelon players available. Shortly after signing New Jersey forward Scott Gomez to a seven-year, $51.5 million contract, New York landed Sabres co-captain Chris Drury with a five-year, $35.25 million deal.

If that wasn't enough, the Philadelphia Flyers signed Buffalo's other co-captain, Daniel Briere, to a whopping eight-year, $52 million deal.

Briere immediately becomes the fresh face of a retooled Flyers team that also completed a four-player trade with Edmonton. Philadelphia acquired the Oilers captain, defenseman Jason Smith, and forward Joffrey Lupul in exchange for defenseman Joni Pitkanen and journeyman forward Geoff Sanderson.

Colorado made the biggest moves among Western Conference teams. The Avalanche signed Islanders forward Ryan Smyth to a five-year, $31.25 million deal, and San Jose defenseman Scott Hannan to a four-year, $18 million contract.

In other significant moves:

• Defending champion Anaheim found a potential replacement in the event captain Scott Niedermayer retires, signing defenseman Mathieu Schneider to a two-year, $11.25 million contract.

• Detroit quickly made up for Schneider's loss by signing New Jersey defenseman Brian Rafalski to a five-year, $30 million contract.

• Toronto signed winger Jason Blake to a five-year, $20 million contract. Blake's stock rose after he scored 40 goals and 69 points — both career highs — with the New York Islanders last season.