DETROIT -- After signing their own unrestricted free agents and allocating money for their unsigned restricted free agents, the Detroit Red Wings don't have much to spend on the open market -- or any glaring needs.

But general manager Ken Holland will do some bargain shopping when NHL free agency begins at noon Thursday.

He will look for a low-priced third-pair defenseman and a gritty fourth-line forward.

There is no urgency to sign anyone. In recent years, Holland has waited until later in the summer to pluck players from the "leftover pile," and he might do likewise this year.

"With the type of money we have, I don't see us being a player on July 1, 2 or 3," Holland said. "Our team is a little more set this year than last year.

"We have two or three wants we'd like to fill, not really needs. I'll make some calls. We won't be in on the high-end guys. We'll look at secondary guys, role players, whether they're on (defense) or up front."

The Red Wings have 18 players signed for $54.2 million, leaving them $5.2 million under the salary cap of $59.4 million.

A large chunk of that, perhaps between $3.2 million and $3.5 million, will go toward signing restricted free agents Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Patrick Eaves, Drew Miller and Derek Meech, who remains a candidate to be traded.

Holland will keep a cushion of at least $500,000 under the cap to recall a player from the Grand Rapids Griffins in case there are a few short-term injuries. This is particularly important if a goaltender has a minor injury or illness.

That doesn't leave much to spend on the free-agent market, perhaps $1 million to $1.5 million.

Getting a No. 6 or 7 defenseman would appear to be a higher priority than signing a forward. They have two strong pairings -- Nicklas Lidstrom-Brian Rafalski and Brad Stuart-Niklas Kronwall -- and would like a safe veteran to play alongside young Jonathan Ericsson.

Rookie Jakub Kindl is assured of a roster spot because he is out of minor-league options, but the team isn't going to hand him a spot in the lineup unless he earns it.

"If there's a defenseman between now and September available at a price that fits in, we'll look at doing something," Holland said. "If we don't do anything on defense, we're OK, though not as deep as we'd like to be."

The team has the option to keep Meech, if he is re-signed. Holland also said veteran Doug Janik and 21-year-old rookie Brendan Smith will compete for a spot on defense.

"Ideally, you'd like the player (Smith) to play a little bit (in the minors), but he's not a 19-year-old junior," Holland said. "We want to see where he's at."

Holland didn't rule out the possibility of re-signing Andreas Lilja later in the summer if he's still available. But Lilja's agent, Todd Diamond, said

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Available defensemen include former Red Wing Aaron Ward (Anaheim), Shane Hnidy (Minnesota), Sean O'Donnell (Los Angeles), Carlo Colaiacovo (St. Louis), Jason Strudwick (Edmonton) and Ruslan Salei (Colorado).

After re-signing their restricted free agents -- Holland said "it's got to be at a number that fits" -- the Red Wings would have 14 forwards, none of whom will be exempt from waivers.

Holland also is interested in re-signing veteran Kirk Maltby, probably to a two-way contract. Maltby might seek a better deal through free agency.

"Talked to his agent last week," Holland said. "We talked about the possibility of (Maltby) coming to camp and the type of money we had set aside for support forwards and defensemen. We'll continue to talk."

Holland said he has no desire to trade anybody, but if there's a free agent they like who's available later this summer and they need cap space, "we'll look at options."

Gritty forwards who might interest the Red Wings include Philadelphia's Arron Asham, St. Louis' Brad Winchester, Chicago's Adam Burish and Minnesota's Owen Nolan.

Players such as Colby Armstrong of Atlanta, Raffi Torres of Buffalo and Eric Nystrom of Calgary likely are out of the Red Wings' price range.

If the Red Wings add an enforcer, it might be someone on a two-way contract for the league minimum ($500,000), such as Aaron Downey in 2007-08 and '08-09 and Brad May last season.

The list of available tough guys includes Derek Boogaard (Minnesota), Zenon Konopka (Tampa Bay), Raitis Ivanans (Los Angeles) and Jody Shelley (New York Rangers). It's doubtful any of those players would accept a two-way contract, however.

Holland also would like to sign a veteran goaltender for depth in Grand Rapids, someone to push youngsters Thomas McCollum and Jordan Pearce. It would be somebody on a two-way contract.

"It's got to be a goalie that knows he's going to Grand Rapids," Holland said. "It can't be a guy who thinks he should be in the NHL or be the No. 1 goalie in Grand Rapids."

Manny Legace and Joey MacDonald, a pair of former Red Wings, are available.

The Red Wings will explore many possibilities. But it could be a quiet summer.

"We've got things in place," Holland said. "If we do nothing between now and September, we like our team."