from Scott Burnside of DallasStars.com,

Although the signings came fast and furious, the 2017 free agency class was marked by shorter terms and fewer dollars a nod to the recent expansion draft that redistributed some of hockey's wealth and the relative flat salary cap. That doesn't mean there weren't some head scratchers and there still may be some buyers' regret in the coming days, but here is a look at some of the more noteworthy signings as free agency began Saturday.

Martin Hanzal, center, signs three years, $4.75 million per year, Dallas Stars

You can never have too much depth at center and the acquisition of the big, two-way center creates lots of options for head coach Ken Hitchcock down the middle for a Stars team that has added key pieces behind the bench, in goal, along the blue line and now at center since the end of the season.

Kevin Shattenkirk, defense, signs four years, $6.65 million per year, New York Rangers

The Rangers shed themselves of aging veterans Dan Girardi (buyout) and Derek Stepan (trade) and then obtained the top free agent defenseman at a manageable cap hit and even more manageable term. Throw in a couple of young prospects and backup netminder Ondrej Pavelec and pretty good week's work for GM Jeff Gorton. Great landing spot for Shattenkirk after a disappointing turn in Washington after the trade deadline.

Karl Alzner, defense, signs five years, $4.625 million per season Montreal Canadiens

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