NHL Free Agents 2016: Rumors, Predictions for Milan Lucic, Kyle Okposo, More

In just a few hours, the NHL's free agency period will officially begin, allowing some of the largest names in the league to sign with new teams. 

While a lot of drama evaporated from the July 1 festivities when superstar Steven Stamkos re-signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, via the team's official site, there are still plenty of potential difference makers that could add something big to a different team. 

Here is the latest on some of those players that are expected to hit the market on Friday. 

Milan Lucic

Milan Lucic's hopes of re-signing with the Los Angeles Kings were dashed when the Kings broke off negotiations with the 28-year-old and instead re-signed Trevor Lewis on June 25, via Josh Cooper of Yahoo Sports.

The bruising left winger is a tough customer to stop while he's on the puck, and his ability to get to the front of the net and score garbage goals has helped him become a dependable scorer, which makes him an attractive target on the free agent market. 

According to TSN, Lucic has already met with the Edmonton Oilers, to which Rob Williams of the Daily Hive was told that he was "prepared to sign" with them on Tuesday even though he was still listening to offers. 

On Thursday, Frank Seravalli reported the Oilers were still the front runners for him, but he added that Lucic also met with the Dallas Stars on Wednesday. 

The way I see it, the Stars would have to give Lucic a big deal to lure him away from the Oilers. 

He would have an opportunity to take over first-line winger duties and flank young star Connor McDavid now that Taylor Hall was dealt to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday for defenseman Adam Larsson, via the Devils. 

Lucic would also have an opportunity to add some veteran tenacity to an Edmonton team that is stacked with young playmakers like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov and Leon Draisaitl.

In Dallas, he would have a lesser role, most likely as a second-line left winger as the Stars have Hart Trophy runner up Jamie Benn in the top unit. 

Prediction: Lucic signs a five-year, $35 million deal with the Oilers

Kyle Okposo

With Stamkos out of the picture, Kyle Okposo has become one of the most desirable forwards available after he developed into a first-line right winger over nine seasons with the New York Islanders. 

Flanking captain and All-Star John Tavares, Okposo was a power forward who wasn't necessarily the best possession player, but he made up for it with his strength and shooting accuracy:

He's a consistent 20-goal scorer, which is expected to drive his price tag past what the Islanders are willing to give him. In a June 17 interview with SiriusXM's Stellick and Simmer, general manager Garth Snow wished Okposo "nothing but the best," while a source told Newsday's Arthur Staple on June 23 that the winger was "100 percent gone."

Since the courting period began on June 25 where teams could speak with free agents, the Minnesota Wild have been involved with Okposo, via Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune and that he is "clearly the main target."

Sources also told Staple on June 25 that the Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings are courting Okposo. 

With all of this interest, there's one team that Okposo wants no part of. Sources told TSN's Francois Gagnon, via TSN 690AM's Shaun Starr, on Thursday that Okposo "has zero interest" in the Montreal Canadiens and "wouldn't even look at a envelope from them."

While there hasn't been a reason why he won't look at them reported as of yet, it shouldn't matter much because I think Okposo goes to Minnesota. 

The Wild are in desperate need of scoring. Zach Parise was the only member of the Wild who scored more goals than Okposo last season and he played in just 70 games. 

In fact, the Wild only had two other players, Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter, hit the 20-goal plateau. Their offense was ranked 20th in the NHL last season and Okposo's acquisition wouldn't just be a huge get for their first line, but for their subsequent depth. 

Niederreiter could move down to the second wing while veteran Jason Pominville could assume third-line duties. 

With a projected $56 million of active contracts next season, they'd also be able to give Okposo a nice deal to bring him back to his home state of Minnesota. 

Prediction: Okposo signs a six-year, $38 million deal with the Wild

Troy Brouwer

Putting the 18 regular-season goals aside, Troy Brouwer's eight-goal, 13-point postseason outing with the St. Louis Blues did wonders for the 30-year-old right winger's free agent value, an Eastern Conference scout told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun on Thursday:

"

Troy played his best hockey of the season at the most important time of the year. That’s something that playoff teams are always going to look at. When you pay him the money or give him the term, you obviously look at the regular season as well. But when those guys can elevate their game in the postseason, that’s when they become that much more valuable to their team. 

"

He isn't as flashy a winger as Okposo for example, but Brouwer is a big body that finds a way to put the puck in the back of the net and given his veteran status, could be a valuable presence on a young or inexperienced team. 

Acquired by the Blues in a trade that sent T.J. Oshie to the Washington Capitals prior to the 2015-16 season, Brouwer told LeBrun that he is still in talks with St. Louis for a new deal, but other teams are also calling. 

He didn't mention specific suitors, but a source told LeBrun that the Calgary Flames are one of those teams and that Brouwer already has met with them. 

LeBrun noted that Brouwer is planning on building a home in Calgary for the offseason and retirement, which is what put him in the city in the first place before meeting with the Flames. 

Given the offseason, more specifically the draft night that they already had, the Flames should be an attractive target for Brouwer. 

This is a team loaded with young talent on both ends of the ice with the likes of Sam Bennett, Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau and Dougie Hamilton. An uncertain goaltending situation though saw them allow a league-worst 260 goals, which held them back from making the postseason for the second-straight year. 

But on draft night, they acquired Brian Elliott from the Blues, a huge upgrade at the position. Getting Brouwer to bolster a middle-six line would not only give the Flames a seasoned 20-goal scorer, but will give them a player that's made the playoffs in seven of the past eight seasons. 

Prediction: Brouwer signs a four-year, $21 million deal with the Flames