DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings defenseman Derek Meech cleared waivers Thursday and will join the team for training camp in Traverse City.



Meech, however, is the club's eighth defenseman, so unless there is an injury during camp or the preseason, he likely will be assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins before the start of the regular season.



The club will continue to try to trade him. Perhaps a team that has a few injuries during the preseason will be interested later.



Once Meech is sent down, the Red Wings aren't likely to recall him because he would be subject to re-entry waivers and Detroit would be responsible for half of his salary and the cap hit if he were claimed.

