DETROIT -- After a disappointing, injury-plagued season, Detroit Red Wings forward Dan Cleary is determined to return to his recent 20-goal form.

Playing alongside a skilled center like Mike Modano will help.

Modano and the Red Wings have agreed to a one-year deal for about $1.25 million. The signing will be announced Friday at a news conference at Joe Louis Arena.

Modano, who is on a golfing trip in Scotland, confirmed in a text message to Dallas TV station WFAA that he is joining the Red Wings, saying, “I’m just excited about the opportunity to play in Detroit with a great team and organization, a team with a lot of skill.’’

Cleary will be most impacted by the team's new additions, Modano, who had spent his entire 20-year career in the Dallas Stars organization, and Jiri Hudler, back after playing in Russia last season. They should form one of the most-potent third lines in the NHL.

"Each player brings something different to the table, that's what makes a good line," Cleary said. "The third line is important to winning long term. You need depth to take pressure off the top lines."

Cleary said he hadn't heard anything official about Modano's signing on Tuesday, but he was looking forward to the possibility of playing with him. With his playmaking ability, Modano can get the puck to Cleary, the line's net-front presence, and Hudler, the unit's sniper.

"It sounds exciting to me. That's great news for our team," Cleary said of Modano's arrival. "He's a good player. He's got experience, he's won before, he's looking to win again. He's still got his speed and a real good shot. He adds a huge depth element. If I get a chance to play with him, it will be a great opportunity."

That's what coach Mike Babcock has in mind.

"If Mike, Huds and Clears are together and play well, one night they may be our best line, the next night they might be our second-best line and the next night our third-best," Babcock said.

Although Babcock said Tuesday that he had heard nothing official, he has been confident that Modano would come to Detroit since the club began its pursuit of the Westland native July 1. He said Modano would give the team nine forwards with the ability to score.

"Last year, we had no depth. We got beat down with injuries. It ate us alive," Babcock said. "We have to get back to being the team we were, with depth, so we can go into the playoffs fresh."

Cleary, 31, had 15 goals in 64 games, but missed time with a separated shoulder and a pulled groin. He also was hampered by a sore knee that was scoped in May. He said he is close to 100 percent.

"I'm excited to get back to where I was (he scored 20 goals in 2006-07 and '07-08)," Cleary said. "I feel healthy now. I'm stronger. Last summer, I couldn't do the things I needed to do to prepare for the season (due to a pulled groin and broken wrist)."

Said Babcock: "Clears is going to have a great year anyway, because he's as healthy as he's been. Playing with more offensive players, he'll have better numbers."

Cleary is in California, working out with Athletes' Performance, a team of personal trainers that works with professional athletes.

"It's been a long summer. It's helped to heal us up," Cleary said. "I'm excited about going to camp in six weeks. We believe we have a team capable of winning the Stanley Cup."

Babcock believes the 40-year-old Modano has two more seasons left in him.

"He'll get to play with good players and he'll be energized," Babcock said. "I'm a big believer that if he comes here and has fun he'll want to play (the following) year."

Modano's signing will give the Red Wings 15 forwards, one more than they intend to carry.

If there are no long-term injuries in training camp or the preseason, they will trade or waive a forward before the start of the regular season. Rookie Mattias Ritola is the most likely candidate to be moved. If the Red Wings were unable to acquire a late-round draft pick for him, they could attempt to send him to the Grand Rapids Griffins through waivers.

After Modano's signing is official, the Red Wings will sign restricted free-agent forwards Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader.

General manager Ken Holland said he will continue looking for a No. 6 defenseman, but is prepared to start the season with what he has.

The Red Wings have offered veteran forward Kirk Maltby a one-year, two-way contract. If he accepts, he would have to earn a roster spot during the preseason or be waived and assigned to Grand Rapids. It seems unlikely he would be willing to play in the AHL.

Maltby continues to seek a better offer on the market.