In the world of NHL free agency, teams often find themselves burdened by long-term contracts that pay for a player's past performance rather than their future potential. However, this year's free agent market has provided some value deals, thanks to teams having increased spending power after the end of the flat cap era. Here are 6 of the best bang-for-buck contracts that teams have secured in free agency so far:

1. Nate Schmidt, Florida Panthers: The Panthers have struck gold with a low-risk, high-reward signing. Schmidt, a talented defenseman, will cost the team a mere $800,000 for one year, making him an excellent replacement for Oliver Ekman-Larsson at a fraction of the price.

2. Jeff Skinner, Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers have added another offensive weapon by signing Jeff Skinner to a one-year contract worth $3 million. While Skinner had a down season, he brings goal-scoring prowess and will provide additional firepower to an already terrifying offensive attack.

3. Viktor Arvidsson, Edmonton Oilers: In an effort to strengthen their second line, the Oilers signed Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year contract worth $4 million. Arvidsson's scoring ability and tenacity make him a promising fit alongside Leon Draisaitl, providing an upgrade to the second-line right wing spot.

4. Alexandre Carrier, Nashville Predators: The Nashville Predators have secured the services of defenseman Alexandre Carrier on a three-year contract worth $3.75 million. Carrier, despite his smaller stature, has proven to be a reliable top-four defenseman, excelling in play-control metrics and goal differential.

5. Adam Henrique, Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers managed to re-sign Adam Henrique for two years at a bargain $3 million cap hit. Henrique's versatility as a forward and scoring ability make him a valuable asset, potentially solving the team's third-line center woes.

6. Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning: The Tampa Bay Lightning made a splash by signing Jake Guentzel to a seven-year contract worth $9 million. While the cap hit is substantial, Guentzel's ability to produce away from Sidney Crosby and his potential partnership with Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point make this a potential success story for the Lightning.

These contracts highlight the potential for teams to find value in NHL free agency despite the market being more competitive this year. By securing players like Schmidt, Skinner, Arvidsson, Carrier, Henrique, and Guentzel at reasonable prices, these teams have the opportunity to maximize their performances on the ice without breaking the bank.

As the 2022-2023 NHL season approaches, fans will eagerly watch these players in action, curious to see how their performances on their new teams unfold. Only time will tell if these contracts will prove to be steals for their respective teams, but for now, the potential value that these signings bring is undeniable.