Daniel-Cleary-11-9-13

Daniel Cleary had four goals and four assists in 52 games for the Red Wings last season.

(AP File Photo)

Nothing has generated more emotion from Detroit Red Wings fans the past two years than veteran forward Daniel Cleary.

Many fans were unhappy when the Red Wings re-signed Cleary a year ago after a sub-par 2012-13 season and some became downright angry when the club inked him to another one-year deal this month after the worst season of his 16-year career.

It's a genuine hot-button issue.

Cleary appeared in 52 games last season – recording four goals, four assists and a minus-11 rating – and didn't play after Jan. 28 because of a chronic knee injury.

The Red Wings signed Cleary to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million in base salary and coach Mike Babcock talked about the gamble to bring Cleary back in an interview with Ryan Ermanni and Rico Beard on Detroit Sports 105.1.

"Last year, he didn't bring anything but the year before, he was a key, key component leadership wise, forechecking wise, heavy on the puck wise, just being a heckuva player for us," Babcock said. "We had a decision to make. We signed Dan to what I consider a great contract, hardly any cap hit whatsoever.

"Cleary has been traveling all over to get his knee the way it should be. We've been told his knee has really come on. If he's on one leg like he was last year, he can't play on our team. If he's on two legs, he can help us win.

"Dan Cleary, is it going to happen for sure? No. Would we have wasted the money if he can't play? I guess. Is it a calculated decision and risk on our part? Yes. Ken Holland and I have been in this business a long time. We make lots of bad decisions but we make way more good decisions.

"We're going off what we think is right. We try to do the best thing for the Red Wings."

Other topics Babcock discussed included the health of stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg – "I just talked to 'Z' today; he feels as good as he has since '08" – goaltender Jimmy Howard needing to be better this season and the organization's young defensemen possibly being ready to play in the NHL.

Babcock also scoffed at reports that his personality and coaching style might have been the reason free agents spurned Detroit this year or the possibility that his contract situation – Babcock is entering the final year of his deal – could have been a factor.

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