Kyle Quincey came via a trade last season. Carlo Colaiacovo arrived a free agent just before the NHL lockout hit, signing for two years and $5 million.

Brendan Smith showed the potential to graduate into a full-time role during his promotion from the AHL last season. Jakub Kindl has shown some potential as well.

Along with top returning defensemen Niklas Kronwall and Ian White, these four will try to fill the offensive hole left by the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom.

Colaiacovo scored 29, 32 and 26 points during a three-year span for the St. Louis Blues. Last season he slipped to 19 points as his offensive role diminished. 

“He's played in the NHL. Smith is a rookie. Kindl has been around a bit but hasn't really had the opportunity to establish himself,” Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told the Detroit Free Press. “Carlo gives us another veteran defenseman for our team. He can play on the power play. He's got the ability to get the puck in the hands of our forwards.”

Colaiacovo has enough skill to earn a role with the second power play if he can stay healthy. Coach Mike Babcock told the Free Press that he sees Carlo as a "second- or third-pair guy who has found a way to play in the league. You get better as you get older, and he's one of those guys.”