The Edmonton Oilers have been extremely aggressive at the opening of the annual free agency signing period, pulling off three trades and signing three players. And as a result, they should be one of the most improved teams in 2008-09.

The first, and perhaps biggest, move came prior to the start of the signing period, when they sent RFA forward Jarret Stoll and young defenseman Matt Greene to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for puck-moving rearguard Lubomir Visnovsky. Visnovsky's scoring totals have been in decline in recent seasons, but all indications are that a change of scenery--and a more mature team surrounding him--should make all the difference in the world.

From the Kings' perspective, this deal all comes down to whether or not they sign Stoll... and whether they actually want to. GM Dean Lombardi has prioritized the accumulation of draft picks in his rebuilding strategy, and he might actually prefer to receive a compensatory draft pick in return for Stoll. Given Stoll's contract situation, it's somewhat telling that Lombardi didn't receive the right to negotiate a contract with Stoll prior to the consummation of the deal.

With Visnovsky on board, GM Kevin Lowe was then able to part with Joni Pitkanen, sending him to Carolina in exchange for left winger Erik Cole. Cole has made a remarkable comeback from a neck injury suffered during the 2005-06 season (on a hit delivered by the Penguins' Brooks Orpik), and should be able to make a big impact on one of the Oilers' top two lines. Pitkanen hasn't yet been able to make consistent use of his tantalizing talent, but could blossom in Carolina, where he won't be under a high-pressure media microscope (as in Philadelphia and Edmonton).

In the Oilers' final deal, they sent Raffi Torres--a standout scorer during the 2006 playoffs but otherwise a capable checking winger--to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Gilbert Brule. This deal has the potential to be a huge coup for Lowe, as Brule's potential far exceeds Torres's.

Selected sixth overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, the 21-year-old Brule could develop into a star in Edmonton, especially if he's given an opportunity to skate alongside Cole. This was clearly a case of the Oilers taking advantage of the Blue Jackets' bordering on desperate need to make a first-ever postseason appearance.

Looking ahead, the Oilers have now reportedly set their sets on Marian Hossa. But if the report in the New York Post is true--that the Bruins are poised to offer Hossa a 12-year deal worth $100 million--then it's not likely that the Slovakian star will be skating for the Oilers next season.