The free agency class might not be as strong as in previous years, but the Detroit Red Wings will be active when the market opens Sunday at noon - if not before in one case.

The Red Wings have had productive talks with defenseman Mike Green and are expected to sign him to a two-year contract, perhaps before Sunday, a source indicated.

Jonathan Bernier has emerged as the leading candidate to fill their back-up goaltending position, likely on a three-year deal. There is interest in Carter Hutton, but it appears he's leaning toward the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner no longer is a possibility.

The Red Wings also will add a forward, quite possibly a familiar face in Valtteri Filppula, 34, on a two-year deal. He would provide some insurance at center in case Henrik Zetterberg's troublesome back forces him out and can also play on the wing. And despite their hopes that this year's No. 1 draft pick Filip Zadina and/or 2017 top pick Michael Rasmussen will make the team, the Red Wings still are pursuing Thomas Vanek on a one-year deal.

Bernier, who turns 30 on Aug. 7, went 19-13-3 last season with Colorado, posting a 2.85 goals-against average and .913 save percentage while earning $2.75 million on a one-year deal. He previously played for Anaheim, Toronto and Los Angeles and has a career record of 128-108-30, with a 2.68 GAA and .914 save percentage.

He would serve as Jimmy Howard's backup. Howard is entering the final year of his contract ($5.29 million cap hit). If he plays well, the Red Wings might sign him to a short-term extension.

Filppula, who appeared in 483 games with the Red Wings between 2005 and 2013, played 81 games last season in Philadelphia, where he picked up 11 goals and 22 assists.

He signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2013, when the Red Wings were offering only four years. Plus, he was tired of playing for coach Mike Babcock, who pushed for the team to sign Stephen Weiss for five years at $25 million. That turned out to be a disaster.

The Red Wings liked what Vanek provided in his brief time in Detroit, picking up 15 goals and 23 assists in 48 games in 2016-17. He was traded to Florida at the deadline for a third-round pick.

Vanek appeared in 80 games last season between Vancouver and Columbus and collected 24 goals and 32 assists.

If the Red Wings sign Filppula or Vanek they would look to trade them at the deadline for a draft pick if they're out of the playoff race.

The Red Wings had offered Green $10 million on a two-year deal - he was making $6 million a season. He's expected to return, unless another team indicates it will give him three years.

The Red Wings want Green, who turns 33 on Oct. 12, for the offense he provides on the blue line and his right-handed shot, elements the team lacks. They still are hoping and expecting that prospect Filip Hronek, another right-handed shooting defenseman, makes the roster out of training camp.