DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland is happy with the talented core of forwards who comprise his top two lines. And he'll be delighted with his top four defensemen if Nicklas Lidstrom returns.

Holland's focus is shoring up the bottom portion of the roster. And it won't take many moves to do that.

His main goal is acquiring a hard-nosed, physical -- but relatively cheap -- fourth-line grinder in the mold of Dallas Drake, who filled that role well during their Stanley Cup run in 2008.

"There's three or four big-name guys, we're not in that market,'' Holland said. "We're looking for support guys. We'd like to get a little grittier on the fourth line, get somebody who's a pain to play against, who'll get in on the forecheck. Someone we can put in there in the playoffs and he's got enough skill and he's a factor because of his physical play.

"But everybody is looking for those guys.''

If he can't find such a player July 1, the start of free agency, he will wait until the last two weeks of August to see who is still available.

Holland said, as of now, he plans to make qualifying offers to all his restricted free agents, thereby retaining their rights. The list includes forwards Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Patrick Eaves, Drew Miller and Mattias Ritola. That constitutes the bulk of their third and fourth lines.

"Some of the holes we're plugging are from within,'' Holland said. "Part of the salary cap world is having players who can push from the bottom. We got to find players like Eaves and Miller.

"I see us having a similar team, but with four, five changes that will make us a deeper team.''

Those changes include the additions of forwards Jiri Hudler, Ritola and the gritty, fourth-line player they are seeking, as well as young defenseman Jakub Kindl.

Holland said the team is set for skill up front with Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula, Dan Cleary and Hudler.

"Our core up front is in the prime of their careers and probably will be for a couple of more years,'' Holland said.

Among their unrestricted free agents, net-front specialist and lifelong Red Wing Tomas Holmstrom is certain to return.

Holland had some discussions with Holmstrom's agent before the playoffs and will resume talks next week.

Holland is interested in re-singing Todd Bertuzzi, who has indicated a desire to stay.

The club might not have the roster space to retain longtime Red Wing Kirk Maltby. Jason Williams, the odd-man out in the playoffs, won't return.

On defense, Holland said he is optimistic that Lidstrom will return and the team will maintain its strong top four (with Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart).

"We need Jonathan Ericsson to take a step forward,'' Holland said. "We've got to make a decision on a couple of our defensive spots. Not all will be back.''

Kindl has the inside track on the sixth spot. Restricted free agent Derek Meech likely will be re-signed but might be moved if the club doesn't have a spot for him. The team must decide whether to re-sign Andreas Lilja. Unrestricted free agent Brett Lebda surely won't be back.

Holland sees no need to make major alterations to a team that went 17-2-3 in its last 22 games when it was healthy and the pressure was on to make the playoffs.

"Every game was a playoff game and every team we played needed to win,'' Holland said. "We were playing under pressure. If we didn't produce, we weren't going to make the playoffs. What better way to evaluate your team?''

Holland thinks the Red Wings can compete with any team in the Central Division and said if everything goes right, "we've got as much a chance to win the West as anybody else.''

His goal is to make the playoffs for the 20th consecutive season, extending the longest current streak in pro sports.

That might seem like a modest objective, but Holland said making the postseason no longer is a given in this day of parity.

"Some people think it's easy to make the playoffs,'' Holland said. "Since the lockout, only three teams have made the playoffs every year -- San Jose, New Jersey and Detroit. We're the only team to make it past the first round the last four years.

"If you qualify for the playoffs, you got a chance to win the Stanley Cup.''

Here are the 2009-10 grades for the Red Wings. The grades include players who appeared in Detroit most of the season or at least in one playoff game. Grades are for the regular season and playoffs.

Forwards

Justin Abdelkader (C+/B)

-- He led the team in hits before being sent to Grand Rapids when healthy players returned to the lineup. He'll provide grit and physicality as the fourth-line center and has shown a willingness to fight. He'll eventually kill penalties and has the ability to score some goals.

Contract: Restricted free agent.

Todd Bertuzzi (B-/B)

-- He was prone to hot streaks but also experienced cold spells when he wasn't shooting enough and wasn't physically engaged. Not fond of net-front role but showed he can be effective there in the playoffs. For $1.5 million, the club probably can't do better on the open market, so expect him to return.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Dan Cleary (C+/C)

-- He wasn't skating as well as he normally does, due in part to nagging groin issues, and his production declined. When healthy, he's a valuable player because he fills so many roles (net front on power play, penalty killing, scoring line, checking line).

Contract: Three years left at cap hit of $2.8 million.

Pavel Datsyuk (B/B+)

-- A 27-point decline in production was due in part to injuries that weakened his supporting cast and his own volition. Remained strong defensively, leading league in takeaways en route to third consecutive Selke Trophy nomination. No reason why he shouldn't revert to his dominant form next season.

Contract: Four years left at cap hit of $6.7 million.

Kris Draper (B-/C)

-- He started well after transition from center to wing, but his role diminished as the season progressed, ice time was reduced and he no longer was killing penalties. He'll be among several grinders competing for a regular spot in the lineup next season.

Contract: One year left at cap hit of $1.583 million.

Patrick Eaves (B/C)

-- He resurrected his career in Detroit, helping to improve the penalty kill with his willingness to get on one knee and block shots. Also chipped in a decent amount of offense with 10 goals but must utilize his good shot more often. He'll be back.

Contract: Restricted free agent.

Valtteri Filppula (C+/B)

-- He has shown flashes of excellence throughout his career but hasn't maintained it over a length of time. He has the speed and skills to provide more offense despite his reluctance to shoot. It is vital he take his game to the next level.

Contract: Three years left at cap hit of $3 million.

Johan Franzen (B+/A

) -- The Red Wings might have competed for the top spot in the conference if this power forward hadn't missed two-thirds of the season because of a torn knee ligament. Had club-record tying 12-game playoff points streak even though he wasn't fully recovered. Should return to his 30-goal form next season.

Contract: Ten years left at cap hit of $3.955 million.

Darren Helm (B/C)

-- Tremendous skater who provides energy and always is willing to dish out a hit. He was strong on the penalty kill and provided a decent amount of offense in his first full NHL season. He creates a lot of scoring chances and needs to improve his finishing touch. He wasn't as effective in the playoffs as he was the past two seasons.

Contract: Restricted free agent.

Tomas Holmstrom (A/B)

-- He rebounded from an injury-plagued season to score 25 goals and should continue to be effective net-front presence. At 37, he still has the hands to tip those point shots, the heart to battle in the trenches and the anticipation to retrieve pucks.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Kirk Maltby (C/Inc.)

-- The end is near for this longtime grinder and penalty killer who was hard to play against and a masterful agitator in his prime. He wants to continue playing, but the Red Wings might not have a roster spot for him.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Brad May (C/Inc.)

-- He filled a much-needed enforcer's role, standing up for teammates and providing a physical presence. He also was a good influence on younger players. He likely will retire.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Drew Miller (B+/B)

-- Like Eaves, Miller found his niche in Detroit as a third-/fourth-line energy player who bolstered the penalty kill. He also provided more offense (10 goals) than expected. He has a future here.

Contract: Restricted free agent.

Mattias Ritola (Inc./Inc.)

-- The jury's still out if he's an NHL player. He is out of minor league options, so he must earn a spot on the roster or be waived or traded. He holds onto the puck well in the offensive zone and has some offensive upside.

Contract: Restricted free agent.

Jason Williams (C-/Inc.)

-- The club didn't get the production it was seeking from him. He missed two and a half months with a broken fibula and never got into a groove. He won't be re-signed.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Henrik Zetterberg (B/A)

-- Much like Datsyuk, Zetterberg lacked consistency and wasn't as dominant as usual in the regular season. But, once again, he showed the ability to raise his game in the playoffs, providing offense and being difficult to play against.

Contract: Eleven years left at a cap hit of $6.083 million.

Defensemen

Jonathan Ericsson (C-/B-)

-- A difficult and disappointing first full NHL season for this big defenseman. He committed too many turnovers, was not sound positionally and seemed to lack confidence. He showed positive signs down the stretch and in the playoffs, however, and should take a big step next season.

Contract: One year left at cap hit of $900,000.

Niklas Kronwall (B/C)

-- He wasn't the same after missing two months with a knee injury, which affected him in the playoffs, when he coughed up the puck too many times, wasn't physical and didn't shoot enough. Expect him to return to form next season.

Contract: Two years left at cap hit of $3 million.

Brett Lebda (C/Inc.)

-- He hasn't shown enough improvement, offensively or defensively, after promising start with club in 2005-06 and won't be back. He needs to parlay his skating and passing ability into better numbers and be more consistent in his own zone.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Nicklas Lidstrom (A-/A)

-- A strong second half and playoff performance showed he's still one of the premier defensemen in the league at age 40. His health, conditioning, skills and smarts will enable him to play several more years at a high level, if he desires. He is contemplating his future, but most in the organization are anticipating his return.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Andreas Lilja (B/C+)

-- Showed tremendous resilience to battle back from a concussion and persistent headaches that idled him for 12 months. He played solid down the stretch, though not able to play as physical as he did before the injury. He would like to return but is on the bubble.

Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Derek Meech (C/Inc.)

-- A good skater who has some grit despite being undersized, he hasn't been able to secure a regular spot in the lineup in three years and probably won't get that chance in Detroit. He likely will be re-signed and, depending on roster space, might continue being eighth defenseman/spare forward or could be traded or waived.

Contract: Restricted free agent.

Brian Rafalski (B/B)

-- He was productive offensively during the regular season and in the playoffs, but not as solid in his own zone. Giveaways were the main issue. His puck-moving ability and skills at the point on the power play are vital for the team.

Contract: Two years left at cap hit of $6 million.

Brad Stuart (A-/A)

-- One of the team's most valuable players the first half of the season because of his hitting, shot-blocking and solid defensive play. He wore down a bit later in the season but came back strong in the playoffs, even providing some offense.

Contract: Two years left at cap hit of $3.75 million.

Goaltenders

Jimmy Howard (A/B)

-- He seized the starting job a year ahead of schedule and was a savior for a team ravaged by injuries, earning himself a Calder Trophy nomination as the NHL's top rookie. He allowed some soft goals and wasn't as consistent in the playoffs but will benefit from the learning experience.

Contract: One year left at cap hit of $717,000.

Chris Osgood (C/Inc.)

-- He struggled early and never got a chance to rebound because Howard ran with the job. But he helped with Howard's development and the club hopes to get 20 starts out of him next season.

Contract: One year left at cap hit of $1.417 million.

Coaching

Mike Babcock and staff (A/B)

-- This might have been one of Babcock's best jobs, squeezing a 102-point season and fifth playoff seed out of a team that was decimated by injuries. A 16-2-3 post-Olympic break run showed players still are responding to his message.

Contract: One year left.