GRAND RAPIDS - Drew Miller looks to make the best of a disappointing situation and revive his career with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

The 32-year forward practiced Monday for the first time with the Griffins after released by the Detroit Red Wings. He was assigned to the Griffins on Jan. 31 and given a week before he joined the AHL team.

He joins the Griffins who have the best winning percentage in the Western Conference at .678 (29-13-1-2) but are overloaded with eight veterans and an obligation to develop promising young forwards such as Evgeny Svechnikov, Tyler Bertuzzi and Matt Lorito.

Miller has not been in the minor leagues since a stint with the AHL's Iowa Chops in 2009. But he also knew this was coming. He was initially waived by the Red Wings on Jan. 22, but brought back shortly thereafter following an injury to Dylan Larkin. Once Larkin returned, Miller was released.

"You can't be the guy who comes down and mopes," he said following Monday's practice. "Guys, this is their job, so you want to be a part of the team and help them win. So my mentality is to work hard and hope that good things happen."

At this point for Miller, that would be a trade.

"The ultimate goal is to get traded to another team in the NHL and continue on," he said. "Regardless of whether that happens or not, I just have to prepare myself for that or to be here."

Miller played 35 games with the Red Wings this season with six points (5-1-6), a minus-10 rating and 14 penalty minutes. He had major knee surgery last January and played in just 28 games last season.

His role with the Griffins will likely be similar to Detroit - third or fourth line center and used on the penalty kill.

"The way our lines are set up, we also have to develop our young guys and put them in an offensive situation," Nelson said in explaining Miller's role.

Miller said he skated on his own in Detroit and hopes to be ready Wednesday when the Griffins host Manitoba.

"I felt pretty good," he said after practice. "At this point of the season, I've been playing and skating all season, so a little bit of time off the ice I'm not concerned with that."

The 32-year-old has 106 points (56-50-106) in 481 games with the Red Wings since 2009 when he was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Overall, he has 551 games in the NHL beginning with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007-08.

His best statistical season came in 2011-12 when he had 14 goals and 25 points in 80 games with the Red Wings.