So, Steven Stamkos won't officially hit the open market. Though he was sagacious enough to wait on signing his eight-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning until the NHL's free-agent negotiating window opened, exploring his options and getting a taste of unrestricted free agency without, well, actually reaching unrestricted free agency.

Nonetheless, Stamkos is off the board, so what does a team with oodles of cap space once reserved for a certain South Floridian sniper do with a little extra dough?

Here are five bold predictions for free agency:

Red Wings take two from Long Island

Unpleasant as it might have been, Detroit had to get out from underneath Pavel Datsyuk's contract. This is a proud organization that grabbed fewer wins than the ninth-place Bruins last year, yet scraped into the postseason for a 25th consecutive season.

Simply gaining cap flexibility isn't enough to see Detroit deviate from its downward trajectory. This money must be spent shrewdly.

With the PowerPoint presentation for Stamkos no longer needed, Detroit shifts its attention to one franchise, signing the second- and third-highest scorers for the Islanders over the last half-decade in Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen.

Oilers double down

Peter Chiarelli moved on from the margins, dealing Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils to acquire a right-shot defender with No. 1 potential in Adam Larsson. But if he's serious about changing the identity of the Oilers, he'll double down on July 1.

Instead of reaching into free-agent waters - though they may have already baited Milan Lucic - the Oilers again tap into the top six to acquire more help on the back end, trading a skilled forward to the St. Louis Blues for Kevin Shattenkirk.

Burns signs richest contract

San Jose Sharks rover Brent Burns will officially be a pending unrestricted free agent when the calendar rolls over to July, but don't bank on using that title for too long.

With Tomas Hertl's contract done and signed at a team-friendly rate, the Norris Trophy-nominated Burns will be rewarded for his 75-point season with a lucrative long-term contract extension that will dwarf the open-market deals signed after July 1.

This is contingent on the Burns family rolling the RV into an area equipped with cell service, of course.

Maple Leafs take step back

Another Stamkos hopeful, Toronto takes a different approach than the Red Wings, falling back into the idle stance that's helped the franchise get back on track.

Toronto took in quite a few inaccurately valued short-term deals in order to dissemble over the last 12 months, so despite its influx of young talent, the Maple Leafs don't really have the room - or the need - to make lasting investments beyond goaltender Frederik Andersen.

They'll step back and save their bullets for another calendar rotation, setting themselves up nicely for the next potential game-breaking unrestricted free agent - and local kid - John Tavares.

Demers breaks bank

The interest in transition-savvy defenders Keith Yandle and Alex Goligoski was so strong this offseason that the two didn't even make it to the open market. So, on July 1, expect next-of-kin to cash in.

With Brian Campbell likely headed to a title contender at a discount rate, Jason Demers, a steady presence, capable puck mover, and possession darling, could be the most sought-after player on the open market.

Defenders have never been in greater demand, and more and more teams are peeling off the layers to uncover the details that would lend itself to a major pay day. Demers signs one of the richest free-agent contracts July 1.

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A slew of injuries and stagnant contract negotiations aren't going to keep Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis from wanting to produce at the NHL level.

The 33-year-old appears to be on his way out of Vancouver and is ready to step into the role he's accustomed to: a top blue-liner on a competitive team.

"I believe I have many good years of hockey left," Hamhuis told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. "I played in the Olympics two years ago. Last year, there were two major injuries and in the last 10 weeks I played my best hockey in a long time. I've got lots of 'top-4 D' hockey left in me, and my goal in summer traininig is to be the best defenseman on my new team. I will find a team that values what I do."

Hamhuis noted he was hopeful an extension would come from the Canucks up until early June, but realized the team may be moving in a different direction.

Despite the potential departure from his hometown team, Hamhuis was adamant he's not bitter with the way things played out.

"No, no. I don't want people to think that. I believe all their talk was genuine," he said. "This is a fluid business. You're not sure what the cap is going to be, what trades are out there. Ownership treated us unbelievably well here."

Friedman mentioned Hamhuis has spoken to three teams and the rearguard would prefer playing for a contender in the latter stages of his career.

"I'm still very competitive," Hamhuis said. "It's more fun winning."

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It appears the Nashville Predators weren't the only club in the P.K. Subban sweepstakes.

The Montreal Canadiens dealt Subban to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Shea Weber, but the Edmonton Oilers were also in talks for the Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, according to TSN's Ryan Rishaug.

The Oilers pursued Subban, but the Canadiens were reportedly asking for Leon Draisaitl, the No. 4 overall draft pick, Oscar Klefbom or Darnell Nurse, and more.

The ask was evidently too much for the Oilers, especially with the fourth overall pick turning into forward Jesse Puljujarvi.

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It took under 60 minutes for the hockey world to be turned upside down.

In that time, Taylor Hall was shipped to the New Jersey Devils, P.K. Subban and Shea Weber traded places, and Steven Stamkos threw a wrench into Friday's free-agent frenzy by deciding to stay in Tampa Bay for another eight years.

Related: 3 thoughts on the NHL's whirlwind Wednesday

While Wednesday's moves directly involved five clubs, their impact stretches far beyond that. Here are the winners and losers of the wheeling and dealing:

Winners

Steve Yzerman

Heading into the July 1 deadline, not many general managers felt the pressure quite like Yzerman, with the possibility of Stamkos taking his talents elsewhere with nothing more than a wave goodbye. But Yzerman wouldn't have it.

When he finally locks up the third-highest scorer in team history, Yzerman may also save his job in the process. That's not to say his job was on the line, but proving he can get such an important deal done is definitely a win on his resume.

Yzerman - while it might not have looked like it - knew what he was doing and in the end got his man.

Nashville Predators

It's rare a team can trade its captain and it's deemed a win for the franchise.

However, this was certainly the case when the Predators sent Weber to the Montreal Canadiens for Subban. In Subban, the Predators get more speed and a much younger option on the back end. Weber - almost four years older than Subban - remains under contract until the end of the 2025-26 season, while Subban's contract runs through 2021.

Factor in the supporting cast Subban now has with Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, and Mattias Ekholm, the Predators can let Subban do his thing - something he never quite had the opportunity to do under Michel Therrien.

Get ready Nashville.

New Jersey Devils

Quietly coming out like bandits Wednesday were the Devils.

The team flipped a defenseman who's never scored more than three goals in a season for a forward who managed the 12-best points per 60 minutes (of players with at least 200 minutes played) in 2015-16, with a solid 2.31 mark.

In Hall, the Devils address their desperate need for scoring - after finishing 30th in the NHL with 2.22 goals per game. Hall also gives the club a much heavier left side that also boasts Michael Cammalleri.

Losers

Maple Leafs/Sabres/Red Wings/etc.

With Stamkos electing to stay in Tampa Bay, it's safe to say the teams who have been doing their best to wow the 26-year-old all came out losers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs believed they could lure Stamkos back home, the Detroit Red Wings were hopeful that with Pavel Datsyuk's contract off the books they could afford Stamkos, and the Buffalo Sabres were crossing their fingers that their rebuild would be kicked into overdrive.

None of those scenarios panned out, and with that each will now have to settle for consolation prizes starting July 1.

Ben Bishop

While Stamkos' future with the Lightning is now set in stone, it appears quite the opposite for Bishop.

The 29-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent next summer and with a cap hit of just under $6 million, the likes of Nikita Kucherov, Vladislav Namestnikov, Alex Killorn, and Nikita Nesterov still to be signed this year, and Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Victor Hedman, and Jonathan Drouin after next season, money will need to be freed up somewhere.

Rumblings at the draft suggested Bishop was in play, and that seems ever more likely with a reported $8.5 million added to the salary cap. Bishop's days in Tampa appear numbered.

Edmonton Oilers

It happened. The Oilers finally dealt a member of their top six for a right-shot defenseman.

However, the right-shot defenseman is Adam Larsson and the forward going back was Hall. While Larsson plays a heavier game and is a decent all-around defender, the fact is the Oilers dealt the player who led the team in scoring in three of the past four seasons to get him.

Larsson's career high in goals and points sit at three and 24, respectively, while in 2013-14 Hall finished seventh in league scoring.

Rumors surfaced recently that the Oilers were in negotiations for St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. The Oilers were reportedly offering Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with the ask by the Blues reportedly being Hall or Jordan Eberle.

One would think Shattenkirk would've been the preferred acquisition over Larsson.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens added more size to their blue line Wednesday, but the price was their franchise defenseman.

While Weber is no push over, to acquire him the Canadiens dealt one of the league's best defenseman who is entering his prime for one who is exiting his.

Weber remains under contract until the 2026 season and will make $12 million the next two seasons. He has a smaller cap hit than Subban, but with his deal set to expire when he's 40 years old, the Canadiens appear to be getting themselves into a bind.

With the team and city alike losing a player who was beloved by fans, sold jerseys, was a media darling, and an outspoken humanitarian in the Montreal area, it's hard to see where exactly Marc Bergevin was going with the trade.

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Exiting the Montreal Canadiens with class likely wasn't difficult for the ever-perceptive P.K. Subban, but in choosing his words after being run out of town in a deal that involved Shea Weber, honesty served as a parting shot.

Though he didn't delve into specific discord between himself and the club, Subban's candor hinted at the underlying issues that were widely suspected.

"I'm just happy to be in a situation where I can excel and feel good about myself coming to the rink every day," Subban said in a conference call.

He added that he feels "a whole lot closer" to winning a Stanley Cup as a member of the Nashville Predators.

We may never know the full extent of the turmoil Subban's now detached from, but his trying relationship with head coach Michel Therrien has been well documented, while some others believe he has had a less-than-chummy relationship Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty.

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For Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, nothing quite compares to P.K. Subban.

Bergevin spoke to the media Wednesday after trading Subban to the Nashville Predators for captain Shea Weber and he admitted nothing he's done in his five years with the team measures up to the Subban deal.

"I've just made the most difficult transaction I've ever had to make in my career as a GM," Bergevin said. "I'd like to wish P.K. Subban all the best with Nashville."

The trade was met with harsh criticism from Canadiens fans, criticism Bergevin understands.

"Montreal is a unique market with passionate fans," Bergevin said. "I understand their reaction to the trade."

On the flip side, the Canadiens picked up a skilled defenseman in Weber, the likes of which was required to pry Subban out of Montreal.

"If I wasn't getting a player of Shea Weber's caliber in return, P.K. Subban would still be in Montreal," Bergevin said. "I believe that Shea Weber is a very durable player who will bring size on the back end.

"I believe that Shea Weber will be good for a long time."

Weber and Subban both collected 51 points last season, while Subban did so in 10 fewer games.

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The Montreal Canadiens will forever be near and dear to now-former Hab P.K. Subban's heart.

The former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman took to Instagram - courtesy of Sportsnet's Tim and Sid - on Wednesday to thank the fans and the city for all the support during his six years with the team.

Subban concluded his time in Montreal with 63 goals and 278 points in 434 games.

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Taylor Hall wasn't thrilled to be dealt by the Edmonton Oilers.

The newest member of the New Jersey Devils admitted he would've liked to remain with the club that drafted him.

"Little shocked at first," Hall to said Deb Kaufman Placey of MSG Network. "Disappointed not to see it through in Edmonton, feel a little slighted."

Hall didn't experience playoff hockey during his six seasons with the Oilers - never managing higher than third in the the division standings - but the 24-year-old still felt he was part of the solution.

"Thought I was a good soldier," Hall said. "But, looking forward to going to a team that wants me. Excited for a new challenge."

While Hall remains upset about being traded from the only team he's dressed for, he wants to do all he can for his new club.

"It's pretty hard not to feel slighted or be disappointed, but going to do everything in my power to make New Jersey proud, they made this deal," Hall said.

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