NHL Free Agency 2015: Latest Rumors, Predicted Landing Spots for Key Free Agents

Come one, come all and experience the wonders of NHL free agency.

With another signing period descending upon the league following a trade-laden draft weekend, free agency should stir up plenty of change in the days and weeks ahead.

But before things get too crazy, it's time to sift through a few rumors that have been percolating in the run-up to the frenzy.  

Pittsburgh Continues Eyeing Wingers

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have reportedly been in the market for a top-six winger since last weekend's NHL draft, and ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun suggests the team could be interested in 33-year-old right winger Justin Williams in the days ahead. 

LeBrun further intimated Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford will continue surveying the field without diving into things too quickly as high-caliber wingers garner serious attention on the trade block. 

"As Rutherford continues to dabble on [Phil] Kessel, [Patrick] Sharp, [Jeff] Skinner or other candidates, my sense is Rutherford wants to slow-play it, hope that the price comes down, and teams trying to dump these players become desperate in a week or two or three," LeBrun wrote. 

Unlike Sharp and Kessel, Williams could simply be acquired as a free agent after he made a shade over $3 million with the Los Angeles Kings last season, according to Spotrac. 

Age hasn't been much of a deterrent for the three-time Stanley Cup winner, either. In 81 appearances last season, Williams tallied 18 goals and 23 assists, marks that ranked fourth and sixth, respectively, on the Kings. 

Martin St. Louis Staying in the East?

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This year's free-agent class hasn't been heralded quite like those in years past, which is why 40-year-old winger Martin St. Louis continues to garner attention far and wide.  

Back on June 26, the New York Post's Larry Brooks reported two Eastern Conference rivals were in pursuit of St. Louis: 

However, according to a June 30 report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dave Molinari, "The Penguins are expected to pursue a number of forwards in free agency, but apparently have decided against trying to sign right winger Martin St. Louis, whose contract with the New York Rangers is expiring."

St. Louis shouldn't be costly, but if the Penguins are looking for a younger, more reliable winger, they could certainly do better than the streaky vet. 

"I’m not rushing into anything," Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said, according to LeBrun. 

But just because the Penguins are exercising patience doesn't mean the New Jersey Devils can't remain competitive for St. Louis' services. After ranking 28th in goals scored (181) last season, the Devils can't take offensive help for granted—no matter the player's age. 

Antoine Vermette Headed For an Arizona Reunion? 

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Mere months after he was traded by the Arizona Coyotes, could Antoine Vermette potentially be headed back to the team he spent three-and-a-half seasons with? 

According to the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch, the answer is yes: "There is a strong belief that given the fact the Arizona Coyotes have $18 million in cap space, that UFA centre Antoine Vermette, who won a Cup with the Blackhawks, will simply return to the desert on July 1. He is comfortable there. Makes sense."

While the Chicago Blackhawks parted with Klas Dahlbeck and their 2015 first-round pick in order to secure a postseason rental of the 32-year-old, the acquisition paid serious dividends for the Stanley Cup champions.

CBSSports.com's Adam Gretz explained back on June 14:

"

Vermette only has four goals for the Blackhawks this postseason, but they have been some of the team's biggest goals, including three game-winners. Two of those game-winners have come in the Stanley Cup Final, when he completed Chicago's late Game 1 comeback and then again on Saturday. 

"

The center has never been a particularly potent goal scorer, but he can offer reinforcements for teams in need of a solid team player who won't cost a king's ransom.

And guess what? The Coyotes fit that description after scoring a 29th-ranked 170 goals a year ago while finishing seventh in the Pacific Division.