DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings have put goaltender Ty Conklin on waivers.

If the Anchorage native isn't claimed by 8 a.m. AST today, he will be assigned to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.

Joey MacDonald's emergence as a dependable backup made Conklin expendable because Jimmy Howard is healthy after being out with a broken right index finger.

Detroit signed Conklin to a one-year contract last summer and MacDonald to a two-year deal that included the option of sending him to the minors this season.

Conklin was pulled after giving up three goals in the first period of a loss Feb. 4 at Edmonton and didn't get another chance to play. MacDonald won his last six games, helping the Red Wings extend their NHL-record winning streak at home to 23 games.