Red Wings brass closed down three days of meetings Tuesday by planning to do it all over again later in June.

General manager Ken Holland led discussions that included participation from senior vice president Jimmy Devellano, assistant general manager Jim Nill, coach Mike Babcock, salary cap specialist Ryan Martin and the scouting staff in preparation for the weeks and months ahead.

"I would categorize it as a whole lot of philosophical conversation," Holland said. "We talked about what the rules are going to be, our team, and what direction are we going to go in?"

Every player eligible to become an unrestricted free agent was rated and ranked, but that'll be revisited later in June, because several of those players are expected to re-sign with their current teams.

The front office brass has these meetings every year, but this version was a little different. First and foremost, the Wings are faced with a future that, for the first time in 20 seasons, does not include elite defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, who retired last week. Secondly, defenseman Brad Stuart is intent on playing closer to his family in California, so there's another departure from the defense's top four. Thirdly, with the collective bargaining agreement expiring, the Wings want to be careful that whatever they do, it will fit in under the new rules that will be in place when the next season begins.

"It was a good start," Holland said. "We talked about a lot of players, including our own in Grand Rapids, and where some of those guys fit in. We talked about some players that we've heard might be available, through the rumor mill, and we looked at teams that might have cap issues."

The Wings are willing to be aggressive, but this summer isn't a buyer's market for free agents -- beyond defenseman Ryan Suter and forward Zach Parise, there's a quick drop-off in quality. Furthermore, a lot of teams are looking to make changes after disappointing playoffs, including San Jose, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Boston, Chicago and Nashville. That adds up to a competitive field for few available assets.

As for improving via trades, it's tricky. The Predators made a big splash at the trade deadline in February only to come away from the playoffs with all of five victories. Though superstar forward Rick Nash wants out of Columbus, it would cost the suitor four or five prime assets -- losses that would then have to be addressed.

"We're trying to rebuild our team, get back into the game," Holland said. "We've had some very good discussions. We're going to meet again, talk some more, see what we can do."&

Contact Helene St. James: 313-222-2295 or hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @freepwings.&

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