NHL Free Agency 2017: Rumors, Predictions for Kevin Shattenkirk and More

An already lackluster NHL free-agent market took a significant hit last week when the Washington Capitals announced an eight-year contract extension for right winger T.J. Oshie. It eliminated one of the few high-impact players expected to become available July 1.

Keeping Oshie means the Caps are unlikely to have the necessary resources to retain defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who was acquired in February for a Stanley Cup push that fell short. He should receive a monster deal given the large number of teams looking to upgrade their blue line during the summer.

Let's check out some of the latest buzz surrounding the longtime St. Louis Blues star and a couple other notable names scheduled to hit free agency. Each section includes a prediction for where the player will ultimately end up during the upcoming frenzy.

Tampa Bay Lightning Join Shattenkirk Hunt

Shattenkirk didn't provide the postseason boost Washington hoped for following the trade. He tallied six points in 13 games and accumulated a minus-four rating. While that's not an ideal way to head into free agency, it doesn't take away from his prior success.

The 28-year-old Boston University product racked up 13 goals and 43 assists across 80 games with the Blues and Capitals this past season. The 56 points ranked him fourth among NHL defensemen behind only Brent Burns, Victor Hedman and Erik Karlsson.

Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reported the Lightning joined what's likely to become a long list of teams to reach out to Shattenkirk during the "legal tampering period." The report also noted the puck-moving weapon will listen to a Tampa offer despite blocking a trade there in January.

Teaming Shattenkirk with Hedman would give the Lightning the best pairing of offensive defensemen in the league. They would also make for a lethal tandem on the power play.

That said, the New York Rangers have always felt like the leaders in the clubhouse for Shattenkirk and none of the early reporting has been strong enough to suggest a new favorite. While that could change before July 1, Madison Square Garden is still his most likely landing spot.

Prediction: Rangers

Andrei Markov Prefers Montreal Canadiens

Andrei Markov is one of the most underrated assets available this summer because he's 38. Typically when teams are looking to make a major splash in free agency they want a player in his prime. But the veteran is perhaps the best short-term option on defense.

The smooth-skating Russian has remained with the Habs organization since it drafted him in the sixth round of the 1998 NHL draft. He tallied six goals and 30 assists in 62 games last season, marking his fifth straight campaign with at least 30 points.

In addition, Markov led the Canadiens' defense corps in Fenwick For percentage among players with at least 200 minutes of ice time, per HockeyAnalysis.com.

Jimmy Murphy of Bruins Beat reported the defender is seeking a two-year contract worth in the neighborhood of $7 million. While he would like to stay with Montreal, he is willing to talk with other teams if the Habs don't want to meet those demands.

The Canadiens have enough wiggle room under the salary cap to make that type of deal work, though. It would be a surprise to see them let Markov walk away unless the price tag increases substantially after his representatives talk with other teams.

Prediction: Canadiens

Dan Girardi Coveted Following Buyout

The Rangers announced they were buying out the final three years of Dan Girardi's contract in mid-June. It marked the end of an 11-year run with the Blueshirts for the defenseman, who signed with the franchise after going undrafted in 2003.

He provided the team with plenty of bang for the buck on its limited investment. The two-way blueliner was reliable in his own end and a solid secondary point producer at his peak, topping out at 31 points (four goals and 27 assists) during the 2010-11 season.

Now Girardi is probably best served playing on the bottom pair due to a decline in his physical skill, but he will probably be given a second-pair contract. David Pagnotta‏ of the Fourth Period noted there's "a lot of interest" in him following the buyout.

He will likely be a second-wave signing once the top names, such as Shattenkirk and Markov, come off the board, which makes it trickier to forecast where he'll land. That said, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes are among the intriguing options.

Prediction: Leafs