DETROIT – Daniel Cleary came to the Detroit Red Wings on a tryout in 2005. Drew Miller arrived four years later after being claimed off waivers.

They overcame long odds to become fixtures in the lineup, and the club would like to re-sign both unrestricted free agents, having begun preliminary contract talks.

The Red Wings will head into next season with more players under contract than available roster spots but will make room for Cleary and Miller, a pair of hard-working forwards who fill a variety of needs on the ice and fit in well in the dressing room.

Cleary, 34, struggled during the regular season (nine goals, 15 points) but performed well in the playoffs (four goals, 10 points), despite playing with a separated shoulder and broken finger.

Cleary is a versatile two-way player who can skate on a top-two line or the third line. He provides a net-front presence on the power play and kills penalties. And he's one of the leaders in the room.

He has spent eight seasons in Detroit. His 2012-13 salary was $3 million.

Miller, 29, is a fourth-line energy player who plays well defensively and is a good penalty killer. He also can contribute offensively, scoring a career-high 14 goals in 2011-12, the NHL's last full season.

Drew Miller eyes the puck while surrounded by Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo and defenseman Alexander Edler earlier this season.

He was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 11, 2009. His 2012-13 salary was $850,000.

The Red Wings also are trying to re-sign forward Damien Brunner but the sides have had trouble determining his market value based on one NHL season that featured extreme highs and lows.

It does not appear as if the Red Wings will re-sign 29-year-old forward Valtteri Filppula. He initially was seeking more than $5 million per season and then experienced one of his worst years (nine goals, 17 points in 41 games).

The Red Wings have 11 forwards signed for 2013-14, including Tomas Tatar, who is out of AHL options next season. They will have 13 after signing restricted free agents Gustav Nyquist and Joakim Andersson.

They also will explore a thin free-agent market on July 5, seeking a forward with offensive ability.

If they don't exercise their buyout options, they could have several extra forwards in training camp.