Ranking the Biggest Bargains so Far in the 2016-17 NHL Season

Among this summer's NHL signings, the Florida Panthers inked left wing Jonathan Marchessault and the Detroit Red Wings added forward Thomas Vanek. Those contracts are early-season bargains for those clubs.

Marchessault and Vanek aren't the only players inked to affordable deals off to good starts in 2016-17. They're among several lesser lights and fading stars under new deals providing far more bang for the buck than anticipated in the opening weeks of this season.

In this slideshow, we'll examine the biggest bargains so far in this NHL campaign. Players on entry-level contracts are excluded because their salaries are capped. Feel free to voice your views on this topic in the comments section below. 

10. Al Montoya, Montreal Canadiens

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Losing starting goaltender Carey Price for most of last season to a knee injury spurred the Montreal Canadiens to bolster their depth in net. On July 1, they signed Al Montoya to a one-year, $950,000 contract. 

In seven NHL seasons entering 2016-17, the 31-year-old Montoya earned a reputation as a reliable backup goalie. With Price sidelined by the flu to start the season, he posted a record of three wins, no losses and one overtime defeat. Prior to Friday's 10-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, his goals-against average was 1.47 and his save percentage was .955. 

That lopsided defeat to the Blue Jackets aside, Montoya was a contributing factor in the Canadiens' hot start. As the season progresses, he should remain an affordable and worthwhile addition. 

9. Patrick Wiercioch, Colorado Avalanche

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After struggling for several seasons with the Ottawa Senators, defenseman Patrick Wiercioch became an unrestricted free agent when the club opted not to qualify his rights. On July 1, the Colorado Avalanche signed him to a one-year, $800,000 contract. 

In his first nine games with the Avalanche, the 26-year-old Wiercioch is giving the Avs full value for their lost-cost investment. He tallied one goal and four assists for five points, placing him among their leading scorers. He's also among their shots leaders (14). He's averaged a respectable 17 minutes and 14 seconds of ice time per game. 

Inconsistency plagued Wiercioch during his tenure with the Senators. So far, however, he's proved to be a solid depth addition to the Avalanche defense corps.

8. Brandon Manning, Philadelphia Flyers

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After struggling to crack the Philadelphia Flyers' crowded blue line since 2011-12, defenseman Brandon Manning re-signed on a two-year deal worth $1.95 million on July 26 . 

In 2015-16, Manning reached a career-best seven points in 56 games. The 26-year-old needed only 12 games this season to match that total. He's tied for second in scoring with Shayne Gostisbehere among Flyers blueliners. He's been a physical force in his own zone, ranking among the club leaders in hits (29) and blocked shots (14).

It's notable Manning achieved these stats playing on their third defense pairing. At an annual cap hit of $975,000, he's become an affordable contributor on their blue line.  

7. Ryan Dzingel, Ottawa Senators

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After tallying nine points in 30 games as a rookie in 2015-16, left wing Ryan Dzingel re-signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Ottawa Senators. The 24-year-old is a fast skater who can play center or wing, making him a versatile forward for their checking lines. 

Early in this season, Dzingel has also became a scoring threat for the Senators. In his first 10 games, he tallied four goals and added three assists for seven points. Despite averaging only 11 minutes and 50 second of ice time per game, he sits second on the club in goals and points. 

Dzingel's production could be cooling off, as he was held scoreless in his last three games. Still, he's thus far proved to be a decent, cost-effective addition for the Senators.

6. Dennis Seidenberg, New York Islanders

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On June 30, the Boston Bruins bought out the final two seasons of defenseman Dennis Seidenberg's four-year, $16 million contract. Following a solid performance with Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the New York Islanders signed the 35-year-old to a one-year, $1 million deal. 

After 11 games, Seidenberg leads all Islanders defensemen in goals (four) and points (six) and is among the club's top five scorers. He's also playing a solid game in his own end, ranking among their leaders in blocked shots (26).

While the Islanders are struggling early this season, Seidenberg's so far proved to be a worthy, economical pick-up. Despite his age, he's playing second-pairing minutes (19 minutes and one second). It appears he still has some decent hockey left in him.

5. Matt Cullen, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Having helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup last season, Matt Cullen returned to the club on a one-year, $1 million contract. Coming off a respectable 16-goal, 32-point effort in 2015-16, The 40-year-old is back this season in his usual role, centering the Penguins' fourth line. 

Cullen is enjoying a strong start. In 11 games, he scored three goals and added five assists for eight points. That effort puts him among their scoring leaders. He's also dominant in the faceoff circle, winning 58.6 percent of his draws.

It's unlikely Cullen can maintain his offensive production throughout this season. Despite his age, however, his overall skills, experience and leadership ensure he'll remain an invaluable member of the Penguins lineup. So far, they're getting good value for their investment.

4. Thomas Vanek, Detroit Red Wings

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On June 24, the Minnesota Wild bought out the final season of Thomas Vanek's three-year, $19.5 million contract. An unrestricted free agent, the 32-year-old forward inked a one-year, $2.6 million deal with the Detroit Red Wings. 

This contract represents perhaps Vanek's last chance to prove he hasn't lost his scoring touch. In his first seven games with the Wings, he didn't disappoint, tallying four goals and four assists for eight points. He's tied for the team lead with Darren Helm in power-play goals (two) and in points (four) with Frans Nielsen. He's also among their leading scorers. 

Vanek's hot start ended when he was sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury. However, his strong performance thus far bodes well for when he returns to action. Not only could Vanek resurrect his career this season as a scorer, but he could provide the Wings with an economical offensive boost.

3. J.T. Miller, New York Rangers

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Completing a one-year, $874,000 contract with the New York Rangers, left wing J.T. Miller re-signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal on July 13. A versatile forward who can play center or either wing, the 23-year-old tallied career highs last season in goals (22), assists (21) and points with 43. 

Skating on the Rangers third line with center Kevin Hayes and winger Michael Grabner, Miller's off to a hot start to 2016-17. With 12 points in 11 games, he's the Rangers' leading scorer. He's also playing a good defensive game, ranking among their leaders in hits (19), blocked shots (11) and takeaways (seven). 

Despite his robust early-season play, Miller has a history of inconsistency. If he can avoid a significant downturn in his performance as the season goes on, his $2.75 million annual salary-cap hit could prove a notable bargain for the Rangers.

2. Richard Panik, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Blackhawks acquired left wing Richard Panik midway through last season in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Skating on the checking lines, the 25-year-old played well enough to earn a one-year, $875,000 contact extension. 

Prior to this season, Panik's best campaign was 2014-15. In 76 games with the Leafs, he tallied 11 goals and 19 points. Only 11 games into 2016-17, he's netted six goals and four assists for 10 points. He's among the Hawks' leading scorers and now skates alongside Chicago stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. 

The 6'1", 209-pound Panik is also establishing himself as a physical presence, leading the Blackhawks in hits (31). He could be emerging as a reliable scoring winger. Not bad for one of their lowest-paid players. 

1. Jonathan Marchessault, Florida Panthers

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The Panthers' signing of Jonathan Marchessault to a two-year, $1.5 million contract on July 1 scarcely registered among this summer's notable free-agent acquisitions. With only 19 points in 49 career NHL games stretching back to 2011-12, the 25-year-old left wing seemed little more than a depth addition. 

A preseason leg injury to top-line left wing Jonathan Huberdeau created an opportunity for Marchessault. He's made the most of it. Playing alongside center Aleksander Barkov and right wing Jaromir Jagr, Marchessault became the Panthers' leading scorer. In 11 games, he tallied six goals and six assists for 12 points. His performance earned him the NHL's third star of the month for October. 

Time will tell whether Marchessault can maintain his torrid offensive pace. He could return to earth later in the season, especially when Huberdeau returns to action. So far, however, he's the NHL's biggest early-season bargain. 

Players stats (effective Nov. 4) via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.