5 Bargain-Bin Free Agent Signings That Will Have a Huge Impact in 2024-25

Big names with lucrative contracts don't always have an impact on their new teams. It's often the bargain-bin free agents that make a difference.

The first few days of the NHL’s 2024 free agent frenzy saw the entire The Hockey Writers top-30 list get signed. Millions and millions of dollars were handed out on short and long-term deals, and time will tell whether the players will pan out on their new teams.

While the lucrative contracts get the headlines and the fanfare, there were also some bargain-bin deals given out that could be looked at a year from now as steals. Here are five in particular that could have fan bases cheering their general manager’s praises by the end of 2024-25.

Victor Olofsson, Vegas Golden Knights

Contract: 1 year, $1.05 million

The Vegas Golden Knights have to shop in the bargain bin of free agency, and they may have found a potential stud in Victor Olofsson. A former seventh-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, he has played his entire career in Buffalo and scored 90 goals and 182 points in 314 games. Of those 90 goals, 35 of them have been scored on the power play using his devastating one-timer and quick release.