10 NHL Offseason Signings That Are Making GMs Look Like Geniuses

Some offseason signings make big headlines when they happen, while others go practically unnoticed.

But while big contract numbers and high-profile players may get attention in July, it's more important for those newcomers to play well once they take the ice.

Here is a look at 10 offseason signings that are making GMs look like geniuses. Some of these are high-profile free agents, some of them are re-signings of players that were already on a team's roster and some were afterthoughts to most members of the media, but all 10 of these players have been successful on their new teams.

Keep in mind that players acquired in trades are not part of this list (so no Rick Nash).

10. Brad Boyes

Brad Boyes was a great pickup for the Islanders and GM Garth Snow.

The 30-year-old Boyes was three seasons removed from his last 30-goal campaign and signed a one-year, $1 million contract to play for the Islanders this season.

Both Boyes and the Isles have benefited from the arrangement. Boyes received first-line ice time and played on a line with John Tavares and Matt Moulson.

The Islanders have received consistent production from Boyes, who has 16 points in 22 games, or a 60-point pace over a full 82-game season.

9. Jiri Hudler

Jiri Hudler has proven to be a solid pickup for the Calgary Flames.

The former Red Wings forward has four goals and 13 points in 16 games playing for Calgary, a pace that would give him nearly 67 points over 82 games, which would represent a new NHL-best mark for the 29-year-old native of the Czech Republic.

At $4 million per season, the Flames didn't overpay for Hudler's services and he is delivering as expected for his new club when he's in the lineup.

8. Alexander Semin

Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford took a gamble on Alexander Semin, and so far it's paying off for the 'Canes and the enigmatic Russian sniper.

Semin has five goals and 20 points in 21 games, practically a point-per-game rate. He hadn't come close to reaching that mark in his last two seasons in Washington.

When you consider Semin didn't have a preseason and only had an abbreviated training camp to adjust to his new coach, new system and new teammates, his production is even more impressive.

Now the question becomes whether or not the Hurricanes and Semin want to continue their relationship beyond the one-season, $7 million contract they signed last summer.

7. Sam Gagner

There were rumors the Oilers were going to trade Sam Gagner at the trade deadline last year, but they kept their young forward and re-signed him over the summer.

Thus far, Edmonton has been rewarded for sticking with Gagner, who has six goals and 19 points in 20 games.

The Oilers signed their former first-round pick to a one-year, $3.2 million deal to avoid arbitration last July, and right now it's looking like a very good move.

6. P.A. Parenteau

The Colorado Avalanche inked former Islanders winger P.A. Parenteau to a big free-agent deal this summer in the hope that the setup man could help their power play and set up some of their young goal scorers. The deal was worth $16 million over four years.

Thus far, Parenteau has provided leadership and production for the Avs. In 20 games, he has scored nine goals and 18 points. Over a full season, that would be roughly 37 goals and 74 points, a career-best pace for the native of Hull, Quebec.

5. Tuukka Rask

With veteran goalie Tim Thomas announcing he was not going to play in 2012-13, the Boston Bruins almost had to sign his former backup, Tuukka Rask, to a new deal.

Well, they did just that this summer, inking the Finnish netminder to a one-year, $3.5 million deal.

The 25-year-old has proven his team's faith was wise. He has a record of 11-1-2, a .933 save percentage and a GAA of just 1.82 in his first 14 games this season.

4. Damien Brunner

The Detroit Red Wings signed Damien Brunner to a one-year, $925,000 contract last summer, and boy is that looking like one of the great moves the club has made in recent years.

The Swiss rookie has 10 goals and 16 points in 22 games and has had some highlight-reel goals in both shootouts and during regular play.

Brunner is on pace to score 37 goals over a full season, although it remains to be seen if he can maintain this pace over a full NHL season.

3. Justin Schultz

Justin Schultz was one of the most sought-after unrestricted free agents this past summer. The former University of Wisconsin star never signed with the Anaheim Ducks and was available to the highest bidder.

The Oilers landed Schultz and he agreed to a two-year-contract.

The lockout gave the rookie a chance to adjust to pro hockey by playing in the AHL, and he responded with 18 goals and 48 points in just 34 games.

With the Oilers, he is also playing well, scoring five goals and 13 points in his first 20 games.

2. Carey Price

The Montreal Canadiens finished last in the Eastern Conference last season and new GM Marc Bergevin knew he had to retool his team. He also knew who the centerpiece of the team was going to be: goalie Carey Price.

The Habs signed a six-year, $39 million extension with their goalie. So far it's paying off quite well.

The Vancouver native is 11-3-3 in 17 games thus far with a 2.20 GAA and a .915 save percentage.

More importantly, the Canadiens are in contention for the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings just one season after finishing last.

1. Viktor Fasth

Viktor Fasth is a 30-year-old NHL rookie who has been so impressive early in this season that the Ducks have already signed him to a two-year contract extension worth nearly $6 million.

The Ducks' decision to sign Fasth to a one-year deal before this season started is looking like quite a steal.

In 12 games for Anaheim this season, Fasth has an impressive 9-1-1 record, a 2.08 GAA and a save percentage of .922.

He is a key reason why Anaheim is second in the Western Conference this season after missing the playoffs a year ago.