Johnson to attend Red Wings camp

Thunder Bay journeyman defensive whiz Ryan Johnson may get a chance to extend his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings.

Johnson, 35, will attend the Wings tryout camp, though will face long odds. The Wings have 14 forwards under contract who aren’t exempt from waivers.

The website Mlive.com reports if Johnson doesn’t make the parent club it could earn him a two-way deal with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. 

"Ryan's been in the league for many years, he's an experienced veteran, he's coming in to compete for a job, show what he can do," Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill told the website.

Johnson spent the latter half of last season with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring once and adding five assists. In 701 career games he has 38 goals and 84 assists.

Johnson's older brother Greg spent four years with the Red Wings, from 1993 to 1997