Daniel-Cleary-1-16-14

Red Wings forward Daniel Cleary had four goals, eight points and a minus-11 rating in 52 games last season.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings are contemplating re-signing forward Daniel Cleary.

Cleary struggled the first half of the 2013-14 season and didn't play after Jan. 28 due to a knee injury.

But the Red Wings, despite their crowded roster, might give Cleary, 35, a chance to earn a spot.

He signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the team on the eve of training camp in 2013.

"When he signed here last year for a one-year deal we had conversations beyond one year because he had contract offers of three years from a couple of teams," general manager Ken Holland said.

Holland has met with Cleary and plans to continue talks. The Red Wings might sign him to a two-way contract and assign him to the Grand Rapids Griffins if he doesn't make the NHL roster.

"He's coming off a real tough season," Holland said. "I know he's working really hard to try to get some leg strength to give himself the best opportunity he can for a bounce back year."

Cleary played in 52 of the team's first 53 games, picking up four goals and four assists and posting a minus-11 rating.

If team can't trade Tootoo, he'll likely be bought out

The Red Wings will try one last time to trade forward Jordin Tootoo during the entry draft in Philadelphia on June 27-28.

If they can't find a deal, they're likely to use their final compliance buyout on Tootoo, who has one year remaining on his contract at $1.9 million.

When players cleaned out their lockers on April 29, Holland indicated he might buy out Tootoo in order to help him get back into the NHL. Tootoo spent most of the 2013-14 season in Grand Rapids.

The Red Wings aren't likely to find a trade partner. Any team interested in Tootoo can wait to sign him at a reduced cost after he is bought out.

Red Wings, Gustavsson still in talks

Holland continues to talk to the agent for Jonas Gustavsson, hoping to sign him to a one-year deal to remain the club's backup goaltender.

As reported on June 5, the Red Wings decided that Gustavsson is their best option and plan to keep Petr Mrazek in Grand Rapids for another season. They would prefer he play regularly in the AHL rather than sporadically in the NHL.

Mrazek will be with the Red Wings full-time in 2015-16. That is why they don't want to sign Gustavsson to the two-year deal he is seeking.

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