The free agency frenzy continues in the NHL off-season. There are still a few more big signings to come.

But at first glance, there are a few teams that have really improved their lot heading into the fall, but at great cost.

The Chicago Blackhawks haven't celebrated a Stanley Cup since 1961, and that is the longest drought of any team, even more than the Maple Leafs who last won in 1967. The changes the Hawks have made under the leadership of General Manager Dale Tallon, could just get the team a whole lot closer to putting an end to that. Signing defenceman Brian Campbell could give the Hawks one of their best power-play quarterbacks since the days of Pierre Pilote, who filled that position so skilfully during that the 1961 playoff run. Goaltender Cristobal Huet won't make anyone forget Hall of Famers Tony Esposito and Glenn Hall, but he will be a solid addition.

The Hawks line-up is already loaded with young talent in Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp. This season's could be one of their best teams in years.

Detroit just keeps on getting better. Marian Hossa and Ty Conklin join the champs, after taking the ''if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'' philosophy, jumping from the Penguins. The Pens also lost Ryan Malone, and tough guy Georges Laraque, that's a lot of grit up front. Don't be surprised to see ''Sid and the Kids'' not able to repeat.

The Rangers lose Jaromir Jagr, and replace him with Markus Naslund, a good addition, but not as dominant as Jagr.

Good pick-ups by Ottawa with Thunder Bay goaltender Alex Auld to serve as a back-up, and Vancouver tabbing defensive forward specialist Ryan Johnson.

All of the moves get us stoked up for the start of a new season.