NHL Free Agency: 13 Most Underrated Moves of the Summer

It is safe to say that during the NHL's summer months, the biggest moves were the joint signings of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise with the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers' blockbuster acquisition of Rick Nash.

These moves dominated the airwaves of radio and television and the online headlines, but now that the dust has completely settled, it is now time to recognize the most underrated moves of the summer. 

Nashville Predators Sign Scott Hannan

The Nashville Predators announced the signing of veteran defenseman Scott Hannan to a one-year deal late last week and it broke the lull of free agency. After losing veteran defender Ryan Suter, the Predators needed to shore up their blueline.

Young defenders Jeff Blum and Ryan Ellis have tons of potential, but right now it wouldn't make sense to ask them to step in to try and completely replace Suter.

Hannan will give the Predators' defense some significant depth and will be a defender who can eat up a ton of minutes night in and night out.

Colorado Avalanche Re-Sign J.S. Giguere

The Colorado Avalanche took care of business when they retained J.S. Giguere's services for one more season.

Giguere has proved to be a valuable asset to the Avs not only on the ice but off it. While Giguere may not be the Avs goaltender of the future, Semyon Varlamov is.

Giguere has been a decent mentor to Varlamov and the tandem has worked well so far. As Varlamov gains experience in net, Giguere can remain a solid backup and the Avs can work towards making the playoffs.

The Avs made other moves this summer that will benefit them offensively but this move in net will really help the Avs long term.

Dallas Stars Sign Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney

The Dallas Stars' acquisition of Ray Whitney and Jaromir Jagr may seem risky to some because of the dollar figures each player will make for the next few seasons.

However, the Stars recently had a change in ownership, and geting fans in the building is a top priority.

The Stars have had one of the league's worst attendances, but the addition of Jagr and Whitney should really generate some more interest in the team.

In addition, these two players will make the Stars a solid offensive team because they will join Jamie Benn, Derek Roy, Loui Eriksson and Brendan Morrow.

No matter how you look at it, this move doesn't hurt the Stars' salary cap, it will draw in the fans and make them stronger offensively.

Phoenix Coyotes Sign Steve Sullivan

The Phoenix Coyotes signed Steve Sullivan to a one-year deal earlier this summer and the contract was worth $1.85 million in salary for the year, and he will count $2.6 million against the salary cap. 

In 2011-12, Sullivan scored 18 goals and he assisted on 31 others for 48 points.

That production came in a secondary role with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he will receive more opportunities in Phoenix considering the departure of Ray Whitney.

Sullivan is an older veteran who still has some juice in the tank and it is a very underrated signing for the Coyotes.

Colorado Avalanche Sign P.A. Parenteau

Many people were quick to criticize the Avalanche for the P.A. Parenteau signing, but it made tons of sense. The Avs would have loved to add a top-notch free-agent, but Colorado isn't as big of a draw as it used to be. 

Parenteau was one of the better offensive options on the market, and even had two less points than top free-agent Zach Parise last season and filled a need for Colorado.

For starters, Parenteau will join a core of young players that includes Paul Stastny, Matt Duchene, Ryan O'Reilly and Gabriel Landeskog, so he will make an impact right away.

Parenteau is making $4.0 million a season, which would be in proportion with the current salary cap and helps Colorado reach the salary floor.

Overall, this is a signing that many can look back on and see as a true bargain.

Detroit Red Wings Sign Jonas Gustavsson

The Red Wings may have lost a few key cogs this offseason, but they also were able to make some moves that will benefit them.

The Wings signed a capable backup for Jimmy Howard when they inked Jonas Gustavsson to a two-year deal. His cap hit of $1,500,000 is solid, and he could provide some relief for Howard when needed.

Gustavsson was a part of the Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltending tandem and held a ton of responsibility because he wasn't always supported up front by his offense. 

Ty Conklin wasn't cutting it as backup for Detroit, so adding "The Monster" was a solid move by Ken Holland. If anything, Gustavsson will give the Wings a better chance to win than Conklin did, so this move is a win-win.

Vancouver Canucks Sign Jason Garrison

The Vancouver Canucks signed Jason Garrison to a six-year deal, and while it may be questioned because of his experience to this point, it is a deal that makes sense when you look at his skills and supporting cast.

Garrison's booming shot will fit in well with the NHL's best power-play unit and will enable him to rack up some points.

The Canucks added Garrison to fill the void left by Sami Salo, and that isn't a bad thing. Garrison is a competent defender and could prove to be a smart signing.

Garrison may have had his best year with the Panthers in 2011-12, but if he is feeding players like Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and playing alongside Alex Edler on the power play, there is a good chance he racks up 40-50 points with ease.

New York Rangers Sign Aaron Asham

At first, I was not thrilled with this signing, but it makes a ton of sense. The New York Rangers have had a plethora of tough guys on their books the last few years, but they have lacked that no-nonsense agitator who will answer the bell when an opponent won't.

They haven't had a player like that since Colton Orr was roaming the ice.

Asham is a player who is known for his rugged approach, and you can be sure that if anyone attempts to take a run at one of the Rangers' star players, Asham will step in and send a message.

He lives on the edge and has been suspended once during his NHL career, but Asham will serve an important role with the Rangers.

Anaheim Ducks Sign Bryan Allen

Bryan Allen is a 31-year-old defenseman who joined the Anaheim Ducks after previously patrolling the Carolina Hurricanes' blue line.

The move makes a ton of sense because of the role he will fill in Anaheim,

Allen was described by THN like this.

"

A physical defensive defenseman who possesses size and strength in spades, as well as better-than-average mobility when opposed against speedy forwards. He can play a shutdown role.

"

This is an apt description, because Allen likes to throw his weight around and he is always providing solid defensive coverage.

All in all, this move is very underrated because most attention around the Anaheim Ducks was concerning the status of star forward Bobby Ryan.

Edmonton Oilers Sign Justin Schultz

There was a lot of hoopla in the courting process with Justin Schultz, but he will likely prove that it was worth it.

Many people may call this move overrated because of all the effort that went into signing a player who has never played an NHL game, but the Edmonton Oilers made a splash when they signed Justin Schultz to a two-year entry-level contract.

Schultz is a young, talented defenseman with huge upside and he will have the opportunity to run a power-play with Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov. 

They added a top defensive prospect at an amazing rate and he will be surrounded with complementary players that will enable him to succeed.

Florida Panthers Sign George Parros

George Parros has the greatest mustache in the NHL and he is also one of the league's top enforcers. Parros never shows hesitancy when it comes to dropping the gloves.

He is a great teammate and he will add some toughness to the Panthers that will really come in hand.

During their first-round series with the New Jersey Devils, the Panthers couldn't match the Devils' toughness. Had the Florida been able to keep up with the Devils' physically grinding style, there is a chance that they could have beaten them in the first round.

Winnipeg Jets Sign Olli Jokinen

The Winnipeg Jets needed a No. 1 center and they got one when they signed Olli Jokinen in free agency.

Jokinen is coming off a 61-point campaign and will be surrounded with talented players like Andrew Ladd, Blake Wheeler, Alexander Burmistrov and Evander Kane in Winnipeg.

Jokinen is starting to look like the 70-point player he was in Florida and he should be able to at least repeat his 2011-12 performance with more ice time in Winnipeg. If you add Kane to the mix, Winnipeg could have a dominant one-two punch on their roster next season.

Calgary Flames Sign Jiri Hudler

Jiri Hudler averaged 15:40 minutes a game last season with the Detroit Red Wings. In that amount of time, Hudler managed to score 25 goals and assisted on 25 others for a grand total of 50 points.

He joins a Calgary Flames team where he will see first- or second-line action and is likely to average two to three minutes more a game.

Hudler will likely be paired with fellow countryman and international teammate Roman Cervenka, and there is a chance they could be joined with young hotshot Sven Bartschi.

No matter how you look at it, Hudler is going to have a good selection of line-mates, more ice time, and opportunities to make an impact in Calgary.

For the price Calgary paid, they will at least receive a duplication of Hudler's production from last season given his increased minutes.