Pacioretty, if he's healthy again after two Achilles tears and before that a broken bone in his foot and season-ending wrist surgery, isn't going to sign with any team whose plan is for him to be 13th forward strictly as injury insurance. He's done enough sitting already the past few years, he'll want to go somewhere he plays. He's never played 4th line minutes or been a regular healthy scratch. His well-known leadership abilities aren't much use if he's a spectator waiting for someone to get hurt. If there's mutual interest between him and Detroit, it's for a favorable opportunity for a middle six spot and PP time, to be a good voice and presence in the locker room.
If the reported interest is true, it adds up to the Wings having little belief in Berggren; if they did, they'd likely have no serious interest in Patches, or him in Detroit. The top nine winger spots would be filled and options available in case of injury with Copp and Veleno able to move over, two top 10 centers in GR, Watson, Snively and Dries with lots of NHL experience. Trade rumors have followed Berggren for a year and he remains unsigned, even though money should not be an issue. If the Wings were confident in Berggren and he wanted to stay, there wouldn't be a huge gap in what Berggren could rationally want and what the Wings would offer. What this is looking like is SY not wanting to make a decision on signing Berggren until he knows if he can get a cheap vet alternative. Pacioretty at close to league minimum instead of Berggren could mean a saving of $500K, which might be useful for Seider/Raymond contracts or should SY finally get around to acquiring the missing piece at 2RD. There's still a trade begging to be made and between Berggren, Maatta, Veleno, prospects and Draft picks, more than enough assets to acquire someone.
Maybe all this is, is finding out for a small cost if Max has anything left and if he doesn't then just cut him. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. But they won't sign him if they don't think there is a chance he can still play, and if he can he will, probably at Berggren's expense.