NHL Free Agency: The 10 Best Moves of the Free-Agency Period Thus Far

Before we start rating the free-agent pickups, can we please acknowledge that the crop of free agents this summer was pretty thin to begin with? Top-heavy with two marque pickups, there was Parise and Suter, then far beyond that was everyone else.

Pictured above is free-agent defenseman Jeff Finger. He was still available at the time of this publication.

My contention throughout this period was that teams needed to add players who would fit into their organization more than trying to just sign the best players available. Some could argue that the top two players could fit into any lineup and integrate themselves without any real adjustment.

With most of the big names ready to sport their new colors and latest "loyalty," here's where I rank the top 10 free-agent signings so far.

Jordin Tootoo (Detroit Red Wings)

Let me just say, at first, I hated this move. I think that had more to do with hating him play against the Red Wings than anything else. However, upon further digestion, Tootoo is exactly what the Red Wings need.

A high-energy wrecking ball that plays like he's 6'5", the diminutive 5'9" Tootoo is a pain in the butt for every team he plays against. He's coming off a career high in scoring for a fairly conservative Nashville team while still playing like a pitbull with rabies.

Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney (Dallas Stars)

The Dallas Stars took an interesting approach to free agency, going with the elder statesman approach.

The Stars traded away second-leading scorer Mike Ribeiro and replaced him with the Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney combo at just over $9 million combined.

While the better part of the tread may be off the tires of these two, Whitney put up numbers near his career high with 81 points last year. Jagr, returning from a three-year sabbatical in the Russian KHL, had a great start to last season before tapering off towards the end of the year.

Dallas just missed the playoffs last season and adding two cagey veterans who know how to win could put them back in to the postseason in 2012-13.

P.A. Parenteau (Colorado Avalanche)

New York Islanders fans will disagree about the outgoing winger, but Parenteau's breakout season last year could be the start of something big. Or it could be a result of playing with stud center John Tavares on the Isles' top line in a contract year.

The Avalanche rolled the dice on a $16 million deal over four years for ol' P.A. hoping that he was just scratching the surface of his talents. I don't believe he'll contend for the Art Ross, but I think he's just a good fit in Denver with a young and talented Avalanche team.

He is a top-six forward and will remain productive on one of Colorado's top two lines.

Zenon Konopka (Minnesota Wild)

This 31-year-old from Ontario enjoys winning faceoffs, growing mustaches in November and punching people in the face. With some viable talent holding a stick, picking up Konopka looks especially smart now that the Wild have supplemented their skilled-player pool.

Konopka is hardly the biggest guy on the ice, but plays like a big man when he mixes it up. If anything, Zenon can mentor Wild resident tough-guy-on-the-rise, Matt Kassian.

Brandon Prust (Montreal Canadiens)

Brandon Prust is one of my favorite players, so I'm a little biased putting him on this list. When I first started watching him, I couldn't believe he was listed under 200 lbs. For a guy his size, leading the NHL in fighting majors the past year speaks to his heart and his quality as a teammate.

Imagine your coach telling you, "Hey that guy out there who is four inches taller and 40 pounds heavier is messing with Gaborik. Go get 'em!"

Montreal signing Prust gives the club some heart and energy that maybe could rub off on Scott Gomez.

Mike Cammalleri famously spoke of the Canadiens' lack of heart and effort before his deportation to Calgary. Could someone in Montreal have been listening?

Matt Carle (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Matt Carle returns to Tampa via free agency after signing a nice $33 million deal over the next six years. It's a lot less splashy than the deals Minnesota made, but it addresses Tampa Bay's need for a top-pair defenseman.

Carle is a solid puck-mover and excellent skater who can also help with the Tampa Bay power play. Steve Yzerman paid a good bit for his services, but his addition along with that of Sami Salo fortify a weak area for the Lightning.

Martin Brodeur Re-Signs (New Jersey Devils)

With the Devils' legendary goaltender opting to test the market, there had to be a sense of panic in the Devils' front office. The possibility of replacing their captain and a fixture in goal would be a major overhaul for any franchise.

When Brodeur re-signed with the Devils, it instantly made New Jersey's pitch to Parise more credible. Ultimately, he chose Minnesota, but the Devils can still make a go of it in 2012-13.

Coming off a Stanley Cup Final appearance, New Jersey has only three forwards over the age of 30. Brodeur anchoring the Devils back line keeps them in the playoff discussion for next year.

Olli Jokinen (Winnipeg Jets)

Jokinen joins a young Jets team as its oldest player at 33, but still seems to have a good bit left in the tank. He'll be a top-six forward for a surprising and frisky Winnipeg team that just missed the playoffs last season.

Jokinen brings leadership and production to a team that needs it and after offseason abdominal surgery, he should be ready to roll.

$4.5 million per year might be a tad on the high side, but it's well worth the investment if it means a return to the playoffs for Winnipeg.

Justin Schultz (Edmonton Oilers)

With apologies in advance to Ducks fans for bringing it up again, Justin Schultz could end up being the steal of free agency in 2012. Or he could end up as the Jeff Finger of the crop.

Of course, Schultz was only eligible for the rookie entry contract, so if he is a bust, Edmonton won't be hurting too badly.

Projected as a top-flight defenseman by most experts, Schultz circumvented Anaheim drafting him in 2008 by staying in college. Ethically, it's hard to root for the guy, but I doubt Edmonton feels too bad about it.

Ryan Suter and Zach Parise (Minnesota Wild)

Obviously, the American tandem heading to Minnesota will top this list. The Wild will hardly vault themselves into Stanley Cup favorites with this move, but they most certainly are favorites to contend with the default division winner, Vancouver, for the top spot in the Northwest.

A fast start to last season saw the Wild leading the Western Conference at one point, but injuries and inconsistent play saw them fall off at the end, missing the playoffs.

Another year under coach Mike Yeo, a fresh start and a healthy lineup should complement the Wild's two new stars and make them more competitive and consistent in 2012-13.