NHL Free Agents 2016: Rumors, Predictions for Kris Russell, Jiri Hudler and More

Kris Russell was one of the top targets prior to the trade deadline in March, and the Dallas Stars pulled off a solid move when they acquired him from the Calgary Flames.

However, the defenseman has not yet made his move during free agency, and while there may be quite a bit of interest around the league, Russell has not signed with a new team for the 2016-17 season.

There has been some reported interest from the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to TSN's Darren Dreger (h/t Today's Slapshot), and the Boston Bruins, according CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty. However, he has not signed a contract with either of those teams or any other at this point.

While there are still plenty of options for Russell, one of the teams he is unlikely to sign with is the Florida Panthers. According to Boston-based hockey writer Jimmy Murphy, the Panthers are not going to try to sign Russell.

Prediction: Look for Russell to sign with the Maple Leafs shortly before the start of training camp.

Jiri Hudler

Jiri Hudler remains on the market at this point after playing for the Flames and Panthers last year. He scored 16 goals and had 30 assists, and that performance came one year after he scored 31 goals and had 45 assists for the resurgent Flames in 2014-15.

Can the 32-year-old Hudler reach those high totals again? That's debatable, and that may be one of the reasons he has not signed yet to this point in free agency. 

Hudler is creative with the puck, and he can be a pinpoint passer when he is on top of his game. He's not a big man at 5'10" and 183 pounds, but he could help a team that is looking to improve its offensive output. Hudler can be particularly effective on the power play, as he has scored 17 man-advantage goals in the last two seasons.

Prediction: Look for Hudler to sign with the Montreal Canadiens before the end of the summer. The Habs had great difficulty putting the puck in the net throughout the majority of the season, and Hudler's ability to find the open spaces in the offensive zone could be a big plus for Montreal.

Matt Cullen

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Matt Cullen was a functional role player for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their run to the Stanley Cup this season. While he is not usually the player who is going to score the eye-catching goals or make a huge offensive play, Cullen does all the little things right, and he sells out and plays hard each and every game.

The 39-year-old Cullen had 16 goals and 16 assists during the regular season for the Penguins, and he added four goals and two assists while playing in 24 postseason games. Two of his playoff goals were game-winners.

Cullen would like to play another year or two, but it's clear that he is not the kind of player who will get a huge contract since he is nearing the end of his career. The Minnesota native will most likely play with the Penguins or the Minnesota Wild in 2016-17.

Prediction: Look for Cullen to sign a one-year contract with the Wild and finish his career in his home state. Cullen is clearly a hardworking player, and the Wild can use more of that in the upcoming season.