2015 NHL Free Agents: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Notable Names

As the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning continue an epic Stanley Cup Final standoff, the rest of the NHL remains hard at work behind the scenes, shoring things up for the future. 

If the teams watching from home want to gun for where the league's top two teams stand in the most important bracket of all, it's going to take a strong offseason to secure a worthwhile base of talent before coaching and player performance becomes a factor. 

For that reason, it shouldn't come as a surprise to hear the rumor mill is alight with chatter as teams look to free agency for help.   

Before the gaze turns back to on-ice action, let's take a look at the latest rumblings making the rounds.

Minnesota's Devan Dubnyk Problem

Bruce Kluckhohn/Getty Images

Fresh on the heels of a 46-win season, the Minnesota Wild need to decide in a hurry whether it's worth committing the resources to netminder Devan Dubnyk.

Before last season's puck dropped, the impending contract situation with the 29-year-old goalie looked like just another minor blip on the summer radar, but surprising strong play makes it one of the most important decisions of the offseason.

An iffy cap situation and the price Dubnyk could demand continues to hamper the process, according to a report by Bob McKenzie of TSN on Insider Trading (via Ian McLaren of TheScore.com):

"

Well, Devan Dubnyk negotiations have been going on a week or two now. There’s no deal in place at this point. That’s not to suggest that they can’t get a deal done, but it’s going to be difficult.

It may be a case too where Dubnyk is going to be looking for a lot more money than the Wild had planned on paying him. He’s unrestricted in the summer.

"

Dubnyk is an asset worth fighting for, as he is one year removed from posting a save percentage of .929.

The hiccup seems to be the contract and injury situation with veteran goalie Niklas Backstrom, as the Wild don't want to commit so many resources to one position and need the limited cap space elsewhere.

Back from the brink of calling it a career in the NHL, expect Dubnyk to show a semblance of loyalty to the Wild if they can assure him a market-price offer is on the way once the roadblocks are cleared.

Prediction: Dubnyk re-signs with the Wild.

The Mark Stone Rush

Andre Ringuette/Getty Images

The Ottawa Senators owe a lot to rookie winger Mark Stone, who played a large role in the team's securing a spot in the postseason before posting good performances there, too.

Now, the Senators just need to find a way to keep the 23-year-old rising star around, something the front office sounds ready to get to work on, per Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

It's interesting the word "preliminary" makes an appearance here given the importance of the Senators keeping the restricted free agent around.

After all, the former sixth-round pick scored 26 goals and assisted on 38 more last year, earning himself a spot as a Calder Trophy finalist. Folks will remember, though, his stellar season ended on a sour note thanks to a slash by P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens.

“It was just frustrating not being able to feel parts of my wrist and parts of my fingers,” Stone told Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun after the injury. “It definitely didn’t help my shot, but I was able to play through it.”

Look for the two sides to work something out and look to turn things around. The upside with Stone is immense, and it's a ride the Senators will want to be a part of as he progresses. 

Prediction: Stone re-signs with the Senators.

The Brandon Saad Situation

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

While the Blackhawks focus on their current predicament, other franchises are hovering like crows, looking to pick at the crop of talent the front office in the Windy City amassed.

The biggest name making the rounds right now is winger Brandon Saad, a budding star at least one team might make an offer for, per a report by ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun: "A source suggested to me Tuesday that the Pittsburgh Penguins are a team to watch as far as having interest in Saad. The Penguins would love to make a splash by grabbing the Pittsburgh native, especially given their need for a top-six scoring winger."

When it comes right down to it, any team should have an interest in throwing an offer sheet at Saad, who touts 23 goals and 29 assists, including the game-winning goal in Wednesday's duel with the Lightning.

For the Pittsburgh Penguins, adding Saad to the mix with Chris Kunitz, Patric Hornqvist and others makes tons of sense. He's a Pittsburgh native and is just 22 years old, never mind the obvious on-ice impact he could provide right away.

The thing is, Chicago can control the way this ship navigates. Saad seems too valuable a commodity to let go, with the scary part being the thought he can still improve. Look for the Blackhawks to do whatever it takes to keep him around.

Prediction: Saad re-signs with the Blackhawks.

Stats and info courtesy of NHL.com unless otherwise specified.