Zach Parise signed a 13-year, $98 million contract with the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, and the reaction has been swift from the blogosphere. Within minutes, the Wild had also signed Ryan Suter to similar terms. Suffice it to say, Wild fans are pleased with having picked up the two biggest names of the 2012 NHL free agency period.

Via Hockey Wilderness:

The Minnesota Wild have agreed to terms with not one, but both of the big free agents this summer. This, from multiple sources on Twitter including Russo, ESPN, and basically everyone in the world. This is, without a doubt, the biggest day in the history of the franchise, and the Wild have to immediately begin to be thought of as not only a playoff team, but a real threat.

Ryan Suter. Zach Parise. Minnesota Wild.

Let that soak in for a minute Wild fans. Take a moment out of your Independence Day celebrations and celebrate the fact that the Wild actually do exist. Take a moment, then try to put your feelings into words and tell your thoughts on these two rather massive signings.

The Detroit Red Wings meanwhile, long used to getting their way in free agency, lost out on both stars. Now the team turns to second-tier options.

Via Winging It In Motown:

So Kenny missed. There are still options out there, but none as attractive as these two. It looks like it came down to them wanting to play together and the Wild offered a better package deal for the two than Detroit could. Lament the end of the Wings being the premier destination, scream at Kenny Holland, do whatever, just don't kill each other.

For more on Zach Parise and NHL free agency, be sure to stick to this StoryStream and SB Nation's dedicated NHL hub. For more on the Wild, check out Hockey Wilderness.