Ranking the NHL offseason's 5 best signings

While the players have been the centerpieces of the NHL's offseason movement, management teams deserve their due.

General managers have flexed their muscles this summer largely during the free agency period, using their wit to lure new fish to their rosters, while also locking up homegrown talent.

Here are five of the offseason's best signings:

5. Scott Hartnell - Predators

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Hartnell has gone from buyout dud to potential offseason stud.

At the conclusion of the 2017 season, the Columbus Blue Jackets bought out the final two years of Hartnell's six-year, $28.5-million contract - which held an annual cap hit of $4.75 million.

Following the buyout, the Nashville Predators swooped in and signed the 35-year-old to a risk-free, one-year, $1-million deal.

Hartnell had a down year in 2017, tallying 13 goals and 37 points in 78 games, but he played just an average of 12:03 per game. In the three years prior, Hartnell averaged 23 goals and 53 points, but averaged 16:25 per night.

Hartnell's best days are surely behind him, but he can still produce if given an opportunity, and Nashville might just be able to provide him with that.

4. Kevin Shattenkirk - Rangers

Shattenkirk was the biggest fish to be had in free agency, and in the end he went where he wanted at solid value.

After stating his desire to play in the New York area, the Rangers inked the 28-year-old to a four-year, $26.6-million deal - an annual average of $6.65 million. Surprisingly, the Rangers didn't have to aggressively overpay for the offensive rearguard and also weren't swayed into giving him an excessively long-term deal.

Shattenkirk has 189 points over the last four seasons, good enough for 11th among defenders, while 104 of those points came on the power play, ranking second only to Erik Karlsson.

He's a great grab by the Rangers.

3. Tanner Pearson - Kings

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This offseason, the Los Angeles Kings made sure to lockup two future stars in Tyler Toffoli and Pearson.

The club did well to get both on potential bargain deals, especially Pearson on a four-year deal with an annual average of $3.75 million.

Last season, the 25-year-old scored a career-high 24 goals, finishing behind only Jeff Carter for the Kings' lead. The two were the only Kings players to hit the 20-goal mark in 2016-17.

Pearson is still getting the hang of the NHL, but he looks to be a vital building block for the Kings, so getting him on a budget is a huge gain for the club.

2. Viktor Arvidsson - Predators

After Arvidsson's breakout season last year, the Predators took an interesting gamble with the 24-year-old winger.

They avoided a bridge deal, electing to sign Arvidsson to a seven-year, $29.75-million contract. The deal is risky given the term and the fact that Arvidsson appears to have come into his own only last season, pacing the team with 31 goals and sharing the lead in points with Ryan Johansen (61).

That said, if it was just a sign of what's to come for Arvidsson, locking him up long term at a $4.25-million cap hit is masterful work by GM David Poile.

1. Conor Sheary - Penguins

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In Sheary's short time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he's become an integral part of the team.

The 25-year-old has found a home on Sidney Crosby's wing, where his talent has become evident. Sheary played his first full season in 2017 and, despite being limited to 61 games, still managed 23 goals and 53 points.

In fact, he boasted a higher points per game average than John Tavares, Phil Kessel, Auston Matthews, and Johnny Gaudreau, just to name a few. Despite that, the Penguins were able to ink the restricted free agent to a three-year, $9-million deal.

If he can continue to develop and produce as he has, this contract could become one of the NHL's best bargains.