I honestly didn't expect Hulkenberg to be considered by a top team for 2015 anyway. I mean he hasn't been for the past couple of years when arguably he should have, then why should this year be any different? I also sense his forward momentum has stalled somewhat over the last third of this season. Last year he picked that Sauber up and carried it on his back, but of late it seems like Perez has taken that role at Force India.
I think it might be a few weeks before we get official confirmation of where Vettel and Alonso end up. It seems sure that Vettel is off to Ferrari, whilst Alonso could possibly end up snookered out of F1 altogether for a year. He's ruled out driving a Mercedes powered car, so looking at the cars supposedly available that's a choice between, Mclaren, Sauber, Marussia or Caterham, I think we can rule STR out. So if he's definitely out of Ferrari and seems that he is... It's either Mclaren or sabactical or Le Mans. I think he's gambling on McLaren being competitive and it's a big risk to take. But then so was Hamilton's to leave McLaren for Mercedes and look how clever that looks now.
Vergne is back in the running to stay at STR, I think it's his only F1 hope as I doubt he has a budget to take any of the other teams. Plus even Red Bull are beginning to think a Verstappen - Sainz/Lynn lineup could be a risk too far.
Not sure who next year's other rookies will be, it would be nice to think that the likes of Palmer and Vandoorne deserve a shot. But Palmer is unlikely to have the budget (I can see him going to WEC though), Vandoorne riskes being out shuffled by Alonso or Button. Nasr is looking to pull a budget together and Van da Garde is also opening trying to get back to a race seat.
I certainly expect Sauber, Marussia and Caterham to seek drivers who take along substantial sponsorship.