NHL Free Agency 2015: Rumors and Predictions Based on Offseason Buzz

The NHL offseason action has slowed down considerably after a highly active period surrounding the draft and the start of free agency. Now teams and players alike are more methodical in their approaches when it comes to making decisions.

There are still some valuable free agents on the market. Yet, unlike the early stages of the signing period when players fly off the board, they may be forced to wait teams out to receive the type of offers they are seeking, both in terms of salary and length.

Let's check out some of the latest news and rumors making their way around the league, along with predictions for how the individual situations will play out.

Braden Holtby

Holtby is coming off of his first full season as the starting netminder for the Washington Capitals. He posted terrific numbers, including a 2.22 goals against average, a .923 save percentage and nine shutouts, showing he could handle the workload of a true No. 1.

Now the restricted free agent is trying to cash in on that outstanding season. Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post reports Holtby's seeking $8 million per year in his arbitration filing, while the Caps countered at $5.1 million.

Of course, the preferred outcome for both sides would be agreeing to a long-term deal to avoid having to go through this situation again next summer. But Prewitt notes the sides remain quite a ways apart in those negotiations ahead of the arbitration hearing:

"

According to multiple sources, the Capitals have held steady in offering Holtby a long-term contract worth roughly $5.5 million, while the 25-year-old's camp has countered in the mid-$6 million range.

"

That's a sizable bridge to gap, and teams always have to remain cautious when committing that type of money to a goaltender. The Caps may want to see another season from Holtby before rewarding him with a long-term deal. A middle-ground arbitration ruling for one year seems most likely at this stage.

Prediction: one-year deal with the Capitals

Alex Semin

Semin is a player with a 40-goal season on his résumé and found the net 20 times as recently as the 2013-14 campaign. At 31, there's also reason to believe he still has at least a few more productive years before physical decline becomes a serious factor.

Last season is scaring a lot of teams away, though. He tallied just six goals in 57 games for the Carolina Hurricanes. What must be considered, however, is that it turned into a disastrous year for the team as a whole, finishing with the fifth-worst record in the league.

So the question is whether he played markedly worse or simply sunk with the ship. Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona reports the Arizona Coyotes are one team likely having that debate as they seek a winger in the $2 million to $3 million range for next season.

A couple of other teams mentioned as possibilities by Jason Brough of Pro Hockey Talk included the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers. Of that quartet, the Devils have the best combination of cap space and playing time to help Semin recoup value moving forward.

Prediction: Devils

Cody Franson

Franson got traded back to the Nashville Predators, where he started his career, ahead of last season's trade deadline. The 27-year-old defenseman proceeded to score just four points in 23 games, a lack of production that likely contributed directly to him staying on the free-agent market this long.

Apparently there's interest, but nothing reaching the level Franson hoped for when the offseason began. Mike Halford of Pro Hockey Talk noted the defender's comments about the Boston Bruins, which were made during an appearance on TSN 1040 Vancouver.

"With the trade they made with [Dougie] Hamilton and some of the other stuff they've done, they're one of the teams that we're in talks with," Franson said. "Boston would be an interesting spot. It's obviously an awesome city, and they've got a great organization and all those things that come with it."

He also said there have been discussions with five or six teams but obviously nothing concrete quite yet. His late-season struggles with the Predators aside, he's a reliable offensive-minded blueliner capable of filling a void in a second pairing.

The fact Franson willingly spoke about the opportunity in Boston suggests there's a good chance of connection there. The need is there on the Bruins' side, which means, as is often the case, the conversation simply comes down to money.

Prediction: Bruins