The NHL's Top Free Agency Signings- according to me

Not only did the Ottawa Senators get their hands on Giroux for 3 years and $19.5 million, but they also managed to grab Alex Debrincat (not a free agent but still very notable) from Chicago (307P in 368 GP). He may be small, but he's quite the player and to have him on the same team, hell maybe even the same line as Giroux, the Sens have a pretty solid start. Throw in the addition of goalie Cam Talbot who has incredible career and season numbers, and you get a team that I can't wait to watch.

Johnny Gaudreau (the one that hurts the most) WANTED to play in Philadelphia. Much like Giroux, Johnny Hockey wanted to be close to his hometown, but Fletcher couldn't deliver because he couldn't get rid of the cap space in time. So, with a 7-year $68.25 million contract, Columbus got the golden goose that Flyers fans have been lusting after since he hit the market. Gaudreau was tied for second in scoring last season, and this off-season signing had Flyers Twitter seething with anger towards Chuck Fletcher.

Unable to sign Ilya Samsonov or Vitek Vanecek for the #1 goalie spot, the Washington Capitals nabbed Darcy Kuemper for 5 years and $26.25 million. Kuemper is a silent weapon and good at flying under the radar, but lest we forget that he just helped the Colorado Avalanche bring home their first Stanley Cup since 2001. Tied for 4th in the league in wins (37-12-4), 5th in SV% (.922) among goalies to play at least 25 games, 11th in GAA (2.54), and tied for 4th in shutouts (5) last season, Kuemper has pretty good all-around numbers.

Off-season signings are what keep the hockey world alive when the ice is melted. We'll just have to wait and see how these pay off.