DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings took care of some pre-lockout business Thursday, signing free-agent defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo and re-signing forward Justin Abdelkader.

Colaiacovo received a two-year contract worth an average of $2.5 million per season. Abdelkader inked a four-year deal, believed to be in the neighborhood of $1.7 million per season.

The moves will be announced on Friday.

If, as it appears, the NHL will lock out the players Saturday at midnight, clubs will not be making any signings or personnel moves until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.

These signings push the Red Wings' payroll to roughly $61.3 million with 25 players, two more than the roster limit.

However, there are a few variables.

Forward Patrick Eaves ($1.2 million salary-cap hit) might not be ready for the start of the season due to a concussion, which would create a roster spot. And the club also has the option of assigning forwards Gustav Nyquist and Damien Brunner, as well as defenseman Brendan Smith, to the Grand Rapids Griffins, since they are exempt from waivers. Those three will play for the Griffins during the lockout.

The Red Wings are well under the 2012-13 cap, which was set at $70.2 million, but it might be reduced in the new collective bargaining agreement.

The Red Wings had been pursuing the skilled but oft-injured Colaiacovo all summer. He will earn $2.15 million this season and $2.85 million in 2013-14.

Colaiacovo, 29, spent the past four seasons with the St. Louis Blues. He had two goals and 19 points in 64 games last season. He has 30 goals, 139 points and 191 penalty minutes in 370 games over parts of nine seasons with Toronto and St. Louis.

Detroit now has seven defensemen – Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Kyle Quincey, Ian White, Jakub Kindl, Smith and Colaiacovo. This move likely makes Kindl the seventh (extra) defenseman, unless the promising rookie Smith experiences growing pains.

The Red Wings have 16 forwards, two more than they plan to carry.

After moving back and forth from center to wing last season, Abdelkader is expected to center the fourth line this season.

Abdelkader, 25, had career highs in goals (eight) and points (22) this past season, along with 62 penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating. The Michigan State product and Muskegon native has played in 209 career games, with 18 goals, 47 points and 160 penalty minutes.

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