Paul Martin, D, San Jose Sharks (July 1) --Sharks general manager Doug Wilson decided against trying to break up the core of his team after it missed the 2015 postseason, and instead added to it.
Martin, a quality two-way defenseman, signed a four-year contract to help the quality of the defense. Martin, paired with Norris Trophy finalist Brent Burns, had 20 points in 78 regular-season games and five assists in 24 playoff games to help the Sharks reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time.
Thomas Greiss, G, New York Islanders (July 1) --Nobody could have envisioned the contributions Greiss would make to the Islanders, who desperately needed help at the backup goalie position.
Greiss, who signed a two-year contract that Newsday reported is worth $3 million, never had played more than 25 games in an NHL season. But he had a 2.36 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage in 41 regular-season games in 2015-16 and became their No. 1 goalie in the playoffs when Jaroslav Halak sustained a lower-body injury in March. Greiss was sensational in the Eastern Conference First Round against the Florida Panthers and led the Islanders to their first playoff series win in 23 years.
Joel Ward, RW, San Jose Sharks (July 3) -- The Sharks felt they needed more grit and another playoff-tested veteran, and that is exactly what Ward provided after signing a three-year contract.
After spending four seasons with Washington, Ward headed for the West Coast and had 21 goals and 22 assists in 79 regular-season games, and seven goals and six assists in 24 playoff games during San Jose's march to the Cup Final.