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With the NHL's free-agency window opening on Friday, much is being made about the big names who will sign for the big dollars.

The signings that linger in our memory tend to be the spectacular busts. But for every Scott Gomez or Wade Redden, there are deals—big and small—that pan out. Sometimes players even exceed expectations.

Teams build their rosters by drafting and trading, signing undrafted free agents and, of course, retaining their own players—often at a lower price than they'd command on the open market.

This article will focus on unrestricted free agents signed by one team from another team's roster. Here's a look at nine of the best free-agent bargains since the start of the salary cap era in 2005.

All stats from nhl.com. Unless otherwise noted, all salary data from capgeek.com.