Who Were The Best NHL Free Agent Signings Of Summer 2013?

DEFENSE

Jan 11, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Andre Benoit (61) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Avalanche defeated the Wild 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Andre Benoit, COL (1 yr, $900K)

The former Ottawa Senators blueliner went from being a part-time player who averaged 16 minutes per game when he got into the lineup has become a mainstay on the Colorado Avalanche blue line, averaging over 20 minutes per night and playing in 44 of the Avs’ 45 games so far.  He is second on the Avalanche in scoring from the point and third in ice time.