"The dust has settled three weeks after the start of NHL free agency, and the Detroit Red Wings still have a lot of salary-cap space.

But their money will collect dust for now because their 23-man roster appears to be set. General manager Ken Holland does not anticipate signing another free agent (a handful of notable-but-aging forwards and defensemen remain unsigned) or making a trade before the season.

With roughly $5.8 million in cap space, the Red Wings will have flexibility to make a midseason move or two.

"I think we can compete and I like our cap space," Holland said. "If, after 60 games, we get to the (trade) deadline and are in a playoff position, we can make a deal. We haven't had that (cap space) the last couple of years."

The Red Wings made a few changes but didn't feel the need to overhaul what still is a talented roster with several players in their prime. They opted not to exhaust their cap space on overpriced free agents in a thin market.

On defense, the Red Wings signed Ian White and Mike Commodore and lost Brian Rafalski (retired) and Ruslan Salei (Russia). Top prospect Brendan Smith will battle for a job in training camp, but unless he's playing every game in Detroit, he'll start the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

At forward, Detroit will have Jan Mursak and Cory Emmerton (if he makes the team) on the roster from the start and lost Mike Modano (likely to retire). Holland will decide shortly whether to re-sign Kris Draper."