DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings have placed defenseman Derek Meech on waivers.

Teams have until noon Thursday to put in a claim for him.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland tried trading Meech but hasn't found any takers.

"I put Derek on waivers to see if a team wants to claim him and give him an opportunity,'' Holland said. "If he clears, he'll come to camp. There's still a month (before the start of the regular season), things change, there's injuries. His fate has yet to be determined.''

If Meech clears waivers, he would be assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins before the season, unless the Red Wings have an injury on defense.

Meech, 26, has played in 126 games over parts of four seasons with the Red Wings, picking up four goals and 12 assists. The club's seventh-round pick in the 2002 draft (229th overall) hasn't been able to secure a regular spot in the lineup, getting shuffled in and out as a replacement for an injured or slumping player.

Holland and Meech agreed this summer he should be moved and get a fresh start in another organization if he wasn't going to be in Detroit's top six.

The Red Wings also need to trim a forward, by trade or waivers, before the start of the regular season. Holland said he has not had any trade talks involving a forward. He'll wait to see how things play out in training camp and the preseason and then make a move.

The Red Wings likely will part with either Drew Miller or Mattias Ritola, unless there is a long-term injury before the season, opening up a roster spot and salary-cap space.