Within a week of the 2017 NHL free-agent period, most of the best players were signed to lucrative new contracts. Among the notables were Kevin Shattenkirk signing a four-year deal with the New York Rangers and Patrick Marleau inking a three-year agreement with the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

It will take some time to determine how well these deals pan out. Several factors, including term, player performance, age and injury history, must be taken into account when evaluating these moves.

Here are our grades for all of this summer's top NHL unrestricted free-agent signings. You can voice your views on this topic in the comments section below.

Winnipeg Jets Sign Dmitry Kulikov

Contract

Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov agreed to a three-year, $13 million deal with the Winnipeg Jets. The annual average value is over $4.333 million. He also receives a modified no-trade clause. 

Analysis

Kulkov, 26, is a smooth-skating mobile blueliner who averaged 21 minutes and 54 seconds of ice time last season with the Buffalo Sabres. During seven seasons with the Florida Panthers, he exceeded 20 points three times. 

Consistency, however, is an issue for Kulikov. Injuries are also a concern, as he missed 35 games in 2016-17. He can also make mistakes in his own zone when pressured by opposing forwards. 

Grade

Unless Kulikov bounces back in a big way in Winnipeg, this signing earns an F grade. He had little leverage entering this year's UFA market, so it's puzzling why the Jets paid so much to get him. If Kulikov fails to improve, his contract could make him this summer's worst free-agent signing. 

Winnipeg Jets Sign Steve Mason

Contract

Goaltender Steve Mason signed a two-year, $8.2 million deal with the Winnipeg Jets. The annual average salary is $4.1 million. 

Analysis

The 6'4", 210-pound Mason is a good, agile positional goaltender. Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2009 as the top rookie, the 29-year-old has 200 victories and 33 shutouts in his nine NHL seasons. 

For all his natural goaltending gifts, inconsistency has dogged Mason throughout his NHL career. He tends to let in bad goals at inopportune moments. Injuries have at times sidelined Mason, hampering his performance.

Grade

Mason's signing gets a C-minus. The Jets are trying to buy time for Connor Hellebuyck to develop into a starter. Mason will be expected to provide stability in goal while mentoring Hellebuyck. His contract is reasonable, but concerns remain over his health and consistency.

Dallas Stars Sign Martin Hanzal

Contract

Center Martin Hanzal inked a three-year, $14.25 million deal with the Dallas Stars. The average annual salary-cap hit is $4.75 million. 

Hanzal, 30, will earn $5.25 million in actual salary for 2017-18, $5 million in 2018-19 and $4 million in 2019-20. He also has a full no-movement clause for next season, followed by a modified no-trade for the remaining term.

Analysis

A big-bodied center, the 6'6", 226-pounder is an effective two-way center. He's strong in the faceoff circle, kills penalties and generates traffic in front of the opposition net. Hanzal also has first- and second-line center experience.

Injuries have hampered Hanzal throughout his career, limiting his effectiveness. He's not a consistent scorer, reaching 20 goals only once and 40 points just twice in his 10 NHL seasons. 

Grade

Hanzal's new deal earns a C grade. The term is reasonable, but the Stars overpaid for an oft-injured center best suited for third-line duty. He's unlikely to see a substantial improvement in his production over the next three years. 

Montreal Canadiens Sign Karl Alzner

Contract

Defenseman Karl Alzner signed a five-year, $23.125 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens. The annual average salary is $4.625 million. 

In actual salary, the 28-year-old will earn $6 million per season in 2017-18 and 2018-19, $4.625 million in 2019-20, $3 million in 2020-21 and $3.5 million in 2021-22. He also has a modified no-trade clause. 

Analysis

The 6'3", 219-pound Alzner is a solid shutdown defenseman and can log big minutes, especially on the penalty kill. He plays a disciplined physical game and is a good shot-blocker. He has not missed a regular-season game in seven seasons.

Alzner's puck-moving abilities, however, are another matter. His offensive play is limited, and he's not a fast skater. While durable, his physical defensive style could catch up with him over the course of his contract. 

Grade

Alzner's contract gets a C-plus grade. While the annual cap hit isn't exorbitant, the term is two years too long. He should help the Canadiens defensively, but his limited offensive skills won't improve their transition game. Should injuries start taking a toll on Alzner, his contract could become a salary-cap headache for the Habs.

Nashville Predators Sign Nick Bonino

Contract

Center Nick Bonino signed a four-year, $16.4 million contract with the Nashville Predators. The annual salary-cap hit is $4.1 million.

Analysis

Bonino helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win consecutive Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. He is a hardworking two-way forward. The 29-year-old possesses strong penalty-killing instincts and can also contribute on the power play. 

Despite being able to chip in with the man advantage, Bonino is an erratic scorer. He's exceeded 20 goals and 40 points only once, in 2013-14 with the Anaheim Ducks. He's best suited for third-line duty. 

Grade

Bonino's contract earns a C-plus grade. He will make an excellent (if somewhat expensive) third-line center in Nashville. However, if Predators captain Mike Fisher retires this summer, Bonino could be thrust into the second-line center position. He could struggle to fill that role. 

Carolina Hurricanes Sign Justin Williams

Contract

Eight years after the Carolina Hurricanes traded right wing Justin Williams to the Los Angeles Kings, he returns on a two-year, $9 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit is $4.5 million. 

In actual salary, the 35-year-old will earn $5 million in 2017-18 and $4 million in 2018-19. The deal also comes with a modified no-trade clause. 

Analysis

After 16 NHL seasons, Williams remains a consistent offensive forward. He has 10 seasons with 40-plus points on his resume. Winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2014, he has been part of three Stanley Cup championship rosters: the Hurricanes (2006) and Kings (2012, 2014). 

Despite Williams' consistency, he's on the downside of his career. Maintaining that 20-goal, 40-point pace could become difficult. Never a fast skater, his speed could decline further over the next two years. 

Grade

This one earns a B-minus. The Hurricanes overpaid for a winger whose decline seems likely in the near future. However, Williams' experience and leadership could prove invaluable to the development of Carolina's young roster. The term is reasonable and won't put a significant dent into their cap payroll. 

Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Patrick Marleau

Contract

Marleau agreed to a three-year, $18.75 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The average salary-cap value is $6.25 million. 

In actual salary, Marleau will earn $8.5 million in 2017-18, $6 million in 2018-19 and $4.25 million in 2019-20. He also has a full no-movement clause throughout the deal. 

Analysis

Throughout his 19-year NHL career, Marleau has scored 20 goals 14 times and exceeded 40 points 17 times. He's a durable performer with good size (6'2", 215 lbs) who can play wing or center and brings considerable experience and leadership to the young Leafs. 

At 37, however, Marleau's best seasons are behind him. Since his 33-goal, 70-point performance in 2013-14, his production steadily eroded. Even in his prime, his offensive output could be streaky at times. 

Grade

Marleau's age and the decline in his offensive output make this a B-minus signing. There's a good chance his production could improve in 2017-18 while playing alongside young Leafs stars such as Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Over the next three seasons, however, a decline is inevitable. 

San Jose Sharks Sign Joe Thornton

Contract

Center Joe Thornton remains with the San Jose Sharks, signing a one-year, $8 million contract. The deal also comes with a full no-movement clause. 

Analysis

In his 19 NHL seasons, Thornton has established himself among the greatest playmakers in NHL history. His offensive consistency remains impressive. He's reached 40 points 18 times, including 12 seasons with 70 or more points. Thornton possesses terrific size (6'4", 220 lbs), making him tough to knock off the puck. 

After netting 82 points in 2015-16, his production fell to just seven goals and 50 points last season. He was also hampered by a late-season left-knee injury that required surgery in April. Now 38, age could be catching up with him.  

Grade

Thornton's contract earns a B rating. Giving a 38-year-old center coming off knee surgery $8 million for one season usually isn't a smart move. Thornton, however, is an exception. Despite his age and the decline in his production last season, he's still a well-regarded offensive forward. The Sharks can afford to take a one-year gamble on him.

Dallas Stars Sign Alexander Radulov

Contract

Right wing Alexander Radulov inked a five-year, $31.25 million contract with the Dallas Stars. The annual average value is $6.25 million. 

In actual salary, the 31-year-old will earn $8 million annually in 2017-18 and 2018-19, $6.6 million in 2019-20, $4 million in 2020-21 and $4.65 million in 2021-22. He has a full no-movement clause in the first three years of the deal, followed by a modified no-trade in the final two seasons.

Analysis

After four years in Russia, Radulov made an impressive return to the NHL last season, netting 54 points in 76 games with the Montreal Canadiens. The 6'2", 205-pound winger is a slick playmaker and could be a fine addition to the Stars top line alongside superstars Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.

While Radulov's matured since his early NHL years, consistency remains a nagging issue. His defensive play could still use improvement. He's also at a stage in his career when he'll soon be facing a decline in his offensive skills. 

Grade

This is a B-plus signing by the Stars. Radulov should mesh well alongside Benn and Seguin, giving Dallas perhaps the most potent line in the league. The dollars and term are a little excessive for a winger of his age. However, it'll be worth it if he helps the Stars reach Stanley Cup contender status.

New York Rangers Sign Kevin Shattenkirk

Contract

Shattenkirk signed a four-year, $26.6 million contract with the New York Rangers. The annual average value is $6.65 million.

In actual salary, he receives $8 million in 2017-18 and 2018-19, $6.6 million in 2019-20 and $4 million in 2020-21. He also has a full no-movement clause in 2017-18, followed by a no-movement with a modified no-trade for the remainder of the deal.

Analysis

Shattenkirk, 28, is among the NHL's best offensive defensemen. He's exceeded the 40-point plateau in six of his seven NHL seasons. A right-handed shot, he moves the puck well and is a reliable power-play contributor.

While Shattenkirk could see first-pairing minutes with the Rangers, he's usually best suited on the second pairing in even-strength situations. He's not particularly physical and struggles when pressured by opponents in his own zone. 

Grade

This is a Grade A signing. The Rangers landed the best blueliner in this summer's free-agent market, addressing their need for a mobile rearguard who shoots from the right side. Shattenkirk's offensive skills should prove invaluable to their transition game and power play. He could've received much more elsewhere but accepted a lesser deal to play for his hometown team. 

Player info via NHL.com. Salary info via CapFriendly.