NHL Free Agents 2015: Rumors and Predictions for Martin St. Louis and More

The 2015 NHL free-agent crop isn't among the deepest and most talented in recent memory, but there are still several quality players to be had, and there will be no shortage of action when the signing period opens July 1.

While players cannot sign until that date, there has already been a great deal of buzz regarding where some free agents might ultimately land. Many teams are in transition because of the draft and trades, but free agency will represent an opportunity for organizations to round out their rosters for the 2015-16 season.

As teams continue to jockey for position and prepare to sell themselves to prospective free agents, here is a rundown of the latest rumors surrounding some of the top players on the market.

Martin St. Louis

Winger Martin St. Louis has long been one of the best offensive players in hockey, but after his least productive season since 2001-02, his NHL future is in question.

The 40-year-old veteran and potential Hall of Famer has expressed a desire to play in 2015-16, and while there is some interest in him, Larry Brooks of the New York Post is reporting that St. Louis will not return to the New York Rangers:

St. Louis posted 52 points in 74 games for the Blueshirts this past season, and he added seven more in 19 playoff contests. The diminutive forward scored just one goal during the postseason, though, which prompted many to question whether he has reached the end of the line.

The former Hart Memorial Trophy winner apparently doesn't believe so, as he wants to continue playing. It doesn't look as though it will be with the Rangers, which is likely a disappointment for him, considering the comments he made back in April, per Brooks.

"There's no doubt that I want to play next year. Period," St. Louis said. "And for sure, yes, I want to play here. I want to finish my career as a Ranger. There's no doubt about that either."

It doesn't seem like playing for the Rangers again is in the cards for St. Louis, but there are some other intriguing options available to him. Brooks mentioned the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins as possible destinations, and the Pens stand out.

Pittsburgh could use some complementary scoring to go along with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and although St. Louis isn't the same player he once was, he fits the bill.

Crosby and Malkin are able to get the most out of those who play alongside them, and St. Louis is savvy enough to take advantage of their talent.

Pittsburgh can offer St. Louis the opportunity to play with world-class players, which should be enough to seal the deal—provided the money is right.

Matt Beleskey

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Winger Matt Beleskey picked the right time to have a career season, as he is set to hit unrestricted free agency, and with a return to the Anaheim Ducks looking like an impossibility, the bidding war will officially be on.

The 27-year-old forward netted 22 goals during the regular season and added eight more during the playoffs. Although his point total was a modest 32, many teams covet Beleskey, including the San Jose Sharks, according to Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet.

Signing Beleskey won't be easy, which is something the Ducks found out firsthand. Per Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register, Anaheim was willing to pay the former fourth-round draft choice $4 million per season:

That seems like a fair offer, since Beleskey had never topped 11 goals or 24 points in a season prior to 2014-15, but it is clear that his camp isn't interested in offering discounts.

Signing Beleskey to a deal richer than the one Anaheim offered would undoubtedly be a major risk, but some team is going to take it—it happens on a yearly basis during free agency.

The Sharks are looking to change the culture of the organization, and they could use some secondary scoring to complement the likes of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski.

They saw enough of Beleskey in the Western Conference to know that he is a tough guy to play against, so they'll meet his demands. But they'll probably end up regretting it a couple of years down the line.

Mike Green

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Mike Green is one of the most dynamic offensive defensemen in the NHL, and since it isn't often that players of his caliber become available, he figures to play the field when free agency starts July 1.

According to Sportsnet, Green has every intention of testing the market rather than agreeing to a contract with the Washington Capitals beforehand.

Green enjoyed a bounce-back season in 2014-15, as the 29-year-old blueliner put up 10 goals and 35 assists for 45 points as well as a plus-15 rating. Those represented his best totals since 2009-10, when he registered a career-high 76 points.

It is difficult to imagine Green returning to that level, but a defenseman who can chip in 45 points and quarterback a power play is hugely important in the current NHL. Several teams figure to vie for Green's services, but Chuck Gormley of CSNWashington.com is hearing that the Edmonton Oilers are near the top of that list.

Edmonton would be a good fit, since it needs defensemen, and Green would likely mesh well with young forwards such as Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov and Leon Draisaitl.

The Oilers' biggest issue, however, is their inability to keep the opposition from scoring, which isn't Green's greatest strength.

Although he hasn't been linked to them yet, look for the Buffalo Sabres to make a strong run at Green. They are an improving team, thanks to the additions of Jack Eichel and Ryan O'Reilly, and they could use a big-time defenseman after trading Nikita Zadorov in the O'Reilly deal.

Buffalo doesn't have a great offensive defenseman currently, but it will get one when it puts together the best offer for Green.

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