Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said he was looking for depth at center and made his first move at trying to address it Friday.
The Hawks signed veteran center Ryan Johnson to a one-year deal worth $500,000. Ryan, 34, signed a professional tryout offer with the Rockford IceHogs earlier this week, playing in one game on Wednesday.
Johnson played for coach Joel Quenneville years ago with the St. Louis Blues. He's played in 667 regular-season games, including the last two seasons with the rival Vancouver Canucks.
"I feel great," Johnson said. "I've been skating five, six days a week like I was getting ready for training camp. I'm ready to go. I was in Rockford for four days, played a game and felt great. There's no afterthought at all. I'm ready to go."
Johnson is known for his shot-blocking. He also played on broken bones in both feet in 2009-10. He went down on April 4 with a broken ankle and sat out the remainder of the regular before playing in four games against the Hawks in the Western Conference semifinals. He's expected to fill out the Hawks' third and fourth lines.
In injury news, Patrick Kane (ankle) and Marian Hossa (lower) both skated Friday, but neither will play against the Detroit Red Wings.
"I'm really hopeful for Sunday [against the Los Angeles Kings]," said Kane, who is still experiencing pain.
Hossa sounded less optimistic than Kane regarding Sunday's game, but didn't rule it out. He said he will wait to see how he feels after practice Saturday and Sunday's morning skate.
The Hawks also placed defenseman Jassen Cullimore on waivers Friday, but he will play against the Red Wings.
How does someone who is placed on waivers still able to play tonight. Sentence is confusing without elaboration.
He is still under contract with the Blackhawks untill someone claims him off of waivers