It's nearly three weeks after the start of free agency, and some notable players remain unsigned, including forwards Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner.

The Detroit Red Wings tried to re-sign both, negotiating with their agents right up until July 5, but couldn't come to terms with either player.

After signing Stephen Weiss and Daniel Alfredsson, the Red Wings are close to the salary cap's $64.3 million upper limit and will be slightly over it once they ink restricted free agent forwards Gustav Nyquist and Joakim Andersson before training camp.

That will give them 16 forwards, two more than they intend to carry.

General manager Ken Holland has stated that he will not acquire another player without shedding some salary.

Many MLive.com readers wondered whether there is a chance that Cleary or Brunner could return to the Red Wings.

Q. With Brunner not being signed yet, is it possible that the Wings could still re-sign him if they are able to move some players?

--Adam

Q. What do you think are the odds of Detroit getting Brunner back? I know that realistically he won't be re-signed, but with free agency now almost a month old my optimism is quickly rising. I love Cleary, but Brunner is a young natural goal-scorer and those are rare.

--Travis

Q. Damien Brunner is still not signed. I am wondering if teams are taking the same approach as Detroit in that they do not want to pay more than $2.5 million for a guy that was streaky last season. Is there any chance that Brunner decides to re-sign with Detroit if he cannot get the contract he was hoping for from another team?

--Will

A. It's highly doubtful that Brunner will return. He was seeking a multiyear deal worth around $3.5 million a season. The Red Wings offered two years at $2.5 million per season. They were hesitant to offer more to a player with no track record in the NHL (just 44 games).

Brunner started strong, with 10 goals and 16 points in 19 games while playing on a line with Henrik Zetterberg, then hit a wall, going 15 games without a goal. He finished with 12 goals and 26 points in 44 games and had a decent playoff run (five goals, nine points in 14 games).

The inconsistently, coupled with his NHL inexperience, makes it difficult to determine his value or commit too many years to him. That might explain why he hasn't signed yet.

I doubt that Brunner would significantly lower his asking price to return to Detroit. Plus, he's looking for a top-six role to maximize his offensive ability, and the Red Wings are set with their top six.

Q. Do you think the Wings can clear enough space to sign both Cleary and Brunner? Just curious as to why no one has signed Brunner.

--Catherine

A. No. I don't think the Red Wings can clear any cap space right now. They've tried for weeks to trade some players but haven't found any takers. I don't see that changing in the offseason. The reason no one has signed Brunner is that he's apparently asking for too much.

Q. Your article said that "They couldn't come to terms with UFA forward Daniel Cleary.'' Are they still in talks or at least open to signing him if they can get the cap space/injuries allow for it? Or have they written him off? Regarding Mikael Samuelsson, is his injury status a tactic by him/his agent to prevent him from being bought out, or is it just a coincidence?

--Neal

A. Holland and coach Mike Babcock like Cleary and all the things he brings to the team (offense, defense, ability to play a top-six role or on the third line, penalty killing, net-front presence on power play). The Red Wings made him an offer, he turned it down. Now, they would need to clear some cap space to bring him back. I don't think that will happen.

Samuelsson's injury (pectoral muscle) was legitimate enough that they contemplated surgery after the playoffs before deciding against it. He was cleared by Red Wings doctors in late June, but his agent claimed he was still injured, so there was some gray area there. Had the club attempted a buyout, Samuelsson could have filed a grievance.

Q. Is there any chance the Red Wings re-sign Daniel Cleary?

--Jamara

A. As long he's unsigned there's a chance. But, like I said before, I doubt that they'll be able to clear enough cap space to make it happen. It would be in his best interest to not wait around for that.

Q. I keep hearing that the Red Wings will bring back Dan Cleary. My question: What is his role supposed to be? The top six seems to be (Pavel) Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Weiss, Alfredsson, (Johan) Franzen, and (Justin) Abdelkader. So (why) is Ken Holland going to give (rumored) $3 million for three years for a guy who won't be in the top six? Is leadership really worth $3 million for three years? Is he going to play on the third line and take Tomas Tatar's spot? I just don't see how he fits on this team going forward.

--MulePunch93

A. Nobody has said Cleary will be back, only that it's a possibility that hinges on the club's ability to shed salary. And that rumor of three years for $3 million a season is false. If that were the Red Wings' offer, Cleary would have taken it. I don't know what their offer was, but I'm told it was closer to $2 million a year for the first two seasons and less than that for the third year.

Q. If salary space became available, what chances do you see for Cleary and Brunner to be signed? Also, what moves do you think might be made in order to clear salary space?

--Klint

A. The odds are against it, for the reasons stated above. I've received a lot of questions about potential moves to clear cap space and roster spots. I'll address that on Friday.

Q. Is anyone showing interest in Brunner/Cleary? Do we know what the parameters are for Alfredsson's incentives (goals, points, trophies, etc.)? What's Larry Murphy up to now? Any rule changes for 2013?

--David

A. I'm sure teams have shown interest in both. New Jersey was interested in Brunner before signing Jaromir Jagr. I think both will need to lower their demands.

Alfredsson's $2 million bonus will be triggered if he plays 10 games. It can be applied to the 2014-15 cap, which is expected to increase.

Not sure what Murphy is up to. He wanted to remain in TV but also was hesitant to relocate.

Rules changes: Visors will be mandatory for players entering the league, nets will be four inches shallower to allow for more maneuverability behind the goal and four-minute high-sticking penalties will be up for video review. Also, hybrid icing will be tested in the preseason.

Thanks for the questions. I've got many more I'll answer on Friday and, in all likelihood, Saturday and Sunday, too.