The NHL off-season is some people's favorite time of year - it signals the NHL Entry Draft, and possibly best of all, free agent frenzy. A bevy of trades are made prior to and following the draft, and a great number of signings are made on July 1st and beyond.
With the new rules under the CBA, teams have a window prior to July 1st to negotiate deals with unrestricted free agents, so that on July 1st, the players mostly already have their decisions made when the clock strikes noon.
It used to be a free for all right at noon, with teams offering massive long-term deals to players to get them to put ink to paper before another team got to them. It led to some pretty bad deals.
With the negotiation window now in place, it's much easier to get the right deal done.
So without further ado, here's our list of 2017's best free agent signings (to date). You will notice some interesting names on this list, and perhaps make a connection amongst the majority of them.
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10. Cody Franson - 1 year, $1 million
Everyone needs a big mobile defenseman. The Chicago Blackhawks got just that in Franson and at a bargain. He's competing for a bottom-pairing spot and has only made it into 4 games so far, but has managed 3 assists in his limited ice time. Competing with several defensemen in Chicago, it's no wonder he's in and out. But at the price they're paying, it's a great value deal.
9. Jaromir Jagr - 1 year, $1 million
Jagr has yet to make a huge impact with the Calgary Flames, but there aren't many who will refute this was a great signing for the Canadian team. With so many young forwards with star potential - and others who've already established themselves as elite talent, having a player of Jagr's experience and leadership is a huge plus for the club. Just ask the Florida Panthers.
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8. David Desharnais - 1 year, $1 million
This is a name that would rarely be featured on a "best signings of any year" list, but here he is. Like those before him, he's signed to an identically cheap and low-risk deal. He profited from the lack of depth on the New York Rangers to cement himself a spot in the Big Apple. Don't think anyone has a problem with his 7 points in 14 games this year.
7. Nail Yakupov - 1 year, $875,000
Here's an interesting one. Nail Yakupov, a former 1st overall pick, is widely considered a bust across the NHL. He still is - considering that a player drafted 1st overall should be an elite difference maker. He sputtered out in Edmonton, and didn't succeed in St. Louis. But his time so far with the Colorado Avalanche seems to have breathed new life into him. With 6 points in 12 games, he looks like a player that can finally be a productive NHL'er. And at the small price Joe Sakic paid, you bet he's making this list.
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6. Radim Vrbata - 1 year, $2.5 million (up to $1.25 million extra in performance bonuses)
Vrbata had a fantastic year in Arizona in 2016-17, putting up 55 points. With 10 points in 12 games, he doesn't appear to have lost a step, making this a great value dal for the Florida Panthers.
5. Mike Cammalleri - 1 year, $1 million
The Los Angeles Kings brought back one of their former players in Cammalleri, and after a subpar year in New Jersey, he appears to have found his scoring touch again, putting up 7 points in only 11 games. Another 1-year, $1 million deal that's paying dividends.
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4. Drew Stafford - 1 year, $800,000
The former 13th overall pick has had a career marred by injury, so the New Jersey Devils took a flyer on the veteran and so far, it's paying off. The Devils are a top team in the league after drafting 1st overall in this summer's draft, and Stafford is no small part of that. He's provided stability to the lineup and offense, garnering 6 points in 9 games so far.
3. Ben Bishop - 6 years, $29.5 million
The Dallas Stars' biggest issue was their goaltending. With a steady and proven force in Ben Bishop signed long-term, the Stars may finally contend in the Western conference.
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2. Patrick Marleau - 3 years, $18.5 million
The veteran winger has proven to be versatile even in his older age. At 38, he's keeping up with the young guns on the Toronto Maple Leafs, and even giving the team a new option at center. With 9 points in 14 games, he's showing no signs of slowing down. It will, however, be interesting to see how he plays out year 2 and 3 of his deal.
1. Will Butcher - 2 years, $1.85 million
Butcher was the coveted free agent coming out of the NCAA this year, much like Jimmy Vesey was last season. The Hobey Baker award-winning defenseman has been an absolute force in New Jersey, putting up 12 assists in 12 games so far. He's had one of the most impressive career debuts by a rookie defenseman in the history of the NHL.
Do you agree with our list? Or would you make some changes?
