5 bargain signings from Day 1 of free agency

The free-agency frenzy brings out the big bucks. We saw that again this year with the long-rumored addition of Kevin Shattenkirk to the New York Rangers. Or with Karl Alzner, who was given more than 23-million reasons to call Montreal home.

But that doesn't mean there aren't bargains to be had in the summer silly season. Here are five players who all signed for $2 million or less, who will prove provide their new teams with plenty of bang for their buck:

Alexander Burmistrov

The Deal: 1 year, $900,000 with Vancouver Canucks

The former eighth overall pick flashed his offensive brilliance in a short stint with the Arizona Coyotes last season, as he tallied 14 points in 26 games. It was a major uptick from the two points he secured in 23 games with the Winnipeg Jets before landing in the desert.

The Canucks are betting on Burmistrov to offer that sort of scoring consistency over the long term, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Russian forward that will see him earn under $1 million next season. Burmistrov was one of four signings the Canucks made Saturday, as the team also inked forward Sam Gagner, defenseman Michael Del Zotto, and netminder Anders Nilsson.

Mike Cammalleri

The Deal: 1 year, $1 million with Los Angeles Kings

Cammalleri is headed back for his second tour of duty with the Kings, agreeing to a one-year deal with Los Angeles for a cool million bucks. While he battled the injury bug last season, limiting him to just 61 games, he still put up 31 points, coming in at just over a half-point-per-game pace on an awful New Jersey squad.

While Cammalleri likely won't be a major offensive force for the Kings like he was when he scored 80 points during the 2006-07 campaign with Los Angeles, the salary and term of his pact makes his signing a low-risk move for the Kings, particularly for a club that was short on offense last season.

Scott Hartnell

The Deal: 1 year, $1 million with Nashville Predators

Hartnell is going back to where it all began, accepting a one-year deal with the Predators. In Nashville, he can fill a need for the club and also aim for his first Stanley Cup. The Predators, of course, lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in last year's Finals, while the addition of Hartnell should help recoup some offense lost in the departure of James Neal, who was claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights.

It's a fresh start for Hartnell, who earlier this week had the final two years of his contract bought out by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hartnell's production dipped last season, falling to 37 points on the campaign, but he could enjoy a bounce-back year in familiar surroundings in Nashville.

Ryan Miller

The Deal: 2 years, $4 million with Anaheim Ducks

Goaltending depth - or lack thereof - roasted the Ducks in the playoffs. But adding Miller better prepares Anaheim for next spring, as the veteran 'keeper offers some reliable insurance behind starter John Gibson. Gibson saw just 52 games last season, so Miller could get more than spot duty in Orange County.

Miller, who will be 37 when the season kicks off in October, is seen as more of a secondary option at this point in career, making him a perfect fit in Anaheim. With the Canucks last season, he appeared in 54 games, posting a respectable .914 save rate on a Vancouver club that finished ahead of only the lowly Colorado Avalanche.

Patrick Sharp

The Deal: 1 year, $1 million with Chicago Blackhawks

Yet another player returned to his old stomping grounds Saturday, as Sharp found his way back to Chicago, inking a one-year agreement with the Blackhawks. Sharp was part of three Stanley Cup champion squads in the Windy City, winning it all in 2010, 2013, and 2015.

While Sharp's low-money deal reflects a willingness to fit into the Blackhawks' tight salary cap structure, it's also fair payment for a veteran forward who struggled through last season. Sharp skated in just 48 games last year with Dallas as he battled a concussion and ended the campaign early by undergoing hip surgery, wrapping the campaign with just 18 points.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

(Contract information: CapFriendly.com)

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