By not signing Zack Torquato or Randy Cameron – both 2007 draft picks of the Red Wings – to three-year contracts by June 1, the team lost rights to both players. Assistant general manager Jim Nill said that although the team has room within its 50-contract limit, decisions like this have to be made to leave room open for future signings.

“You watch them over the two years, their game hasn’t improved to the point where we think they made enough progress,” said Nill. “I told them both to go out and prove us wrong.”

Both Torquato and Cameron will be invited back to Red Wings’ training camp if they’re not drafted later this month by another organization, according to Nill.