The hockey media, front offices, agents, and players have finally been able to let the dust settle after a busy draft and free-agent flurry of an offseason so far.

Since the Vegas Golden Knights lifted Lord Stanley’s Cup, there has been plenty of player movement as summers typically bring in the NHL.

Some moves were all but formalities while some have been a bit surprising.

Here is a quick recap of the NHL’s offseason thus far.

The good...

Some teams went to make a splash, some teams simply wanted to supplement an already-good team, while there both low-risk and high-risk strategies taken.

Considering where the signing team is in terms of how they finished last season, how they get to the next step, the upside, and the overall team value of the contract, these signings have potential to prove the best moves of the offseason:

Erik Johnson - 1 yr./$3.25M - Buffalo 
Dmitry Orlov - 2 yr./$15.5M - Carolina 
Michael Bunting - 3 yr./$13.5M - Carolina 
Connor Brown - 1 yr./$4M - Edmonton 
Blake Wheeler - 1 yr./$800K - New York (Rangers) 
Max Pacioretty - 1yr./$2M - Washington 
Matt Duchene - 1yr./$3M - Dallas 
JT Compher - 5yr./$25.5M - Detroit 
Scott Mayfield - 7yr./$24.5M - New York (Islanders) 
Noel Acciari - 3yr./$6M - Pittsburgh 
Brian Dumoulin - 2yr./$6.3M - Seattle 
Conor Sheary - 3yr./$6M - Tampa 
John Klingberg - 1yr./$4.15M - Toronto 
Tyler Bertuzzi - 1yr./$5.5M - Toronto

Wait and see

There were a few signings in which although a solid player was acquired, the strategy of the team may be questionable.

Here are some signings that may be seen as high-risk, have a questionable term or salary, or a good player signed when the direction of the team does not seem clear:

Ryan O’Reilly - 4yr./$18M - Nashville 
James van Riemsdyk - 1 yr./$1M - Boston 
Milan Lucic - 1yr./$1M - Boston 
Kevin Shattenkirk - 1yr./$1.05M - Boston 
Ross Colton - 4yr./$16M - Colorado 
Ryan Reaves - 3yr./$4.05M - Toronto 
Max Domi - 1yr./$3M - Toronto

Surprises still available

While Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane did not exactly light it up in their short stints with the Rangers, it is a little puzzling that they remain unsigned.

These guys still have gas left in the tank and will give an immediate scoring threat to anyone they sign with.

Here are a few more unrestricted free agent names to keep an eye on as this summer progresses:

Patrice Bergeron (pending retirement) 
David Krejci (pending retirement) 
Jonathan Toews 
Paul Stastny 
Eric Staal 
Matt Dumba 
Paul Byron 
Jonathan Bernier 
Tomas Tatar 
Zach Parise 
Cory Schneider 
Jaroslav Halak 
Derick Brassard 
Joonas Donskoi 
Brian Elliott 
Zach Aston-Reese 
Jordie Benn 
Wayne Simmonds 
Phil Kessel 
Carl Hagelin 
Sam Gagner

bet365 News Team

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