NHL free agency 2023: Grades, fits for all the big signings - ESPN

The NHL free agency signing period for 2023 is underway.

For each key deal, ESPN NHL reporter Greg Wyshynski will assess the player's fit with his new team, weigh whether the terms of the deal make sense and hand out an overall grade for the team.

We'll continue to grade the most notable moves through the offseason, so check back for fresh grades as deals are consummated; the newest grades will be listed first.

More: Tracker Free agent rankingsTeam-by-team guides Draft recap: Every pick | Winners, losers

Note: Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Wild, unless otherwise noted.

Terms: Three years, $4.5 million average annual value ($13.5 million total)

Where does he fit? This is take two for the Hurricanes. Last summer, they knew they needed to add goal scoring to their forward group to finally get over the hump in the Stanley Cup playoffs. So they acquired Max Pacioretty from the Vegas Golden Knights; he had scored 43 goals in his previous 87 games. However, Pacioretty ended up playing only five games for the Hurricanes due to injury before Carolina let him leave via free agency to the Washington Capitals this summer.

Bunting is the new hotness. He scored 46 goals along with 112 points in total over the past two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. While he obviously benefitted from playing with Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner, Bunting also produced enough to earn his ice time with the Leafs' top players. He gave them a net-front presence and created space in the offensive zone for them to operate. It's rather easy to see Bunting cast in the same role with center Sebastian Aho and winger Seth Jarvis on the Hurricanes' top line. Bunting also should help on the power play.

Does it make sense? That