P.A. in for AA?

Did the Detroit Red Wings just buy themselves an insurance policy in case forward Andreas Athanasiou is really serious about jumping to the KHL? NHL player agent Allan Wash posted on Twitter that the Wings had invited veteran forward P.A. Parenteau to training camp on a pro tryout basis, a move that was later confirmed by Detroit general manager Ken Holland. As the camp for restricted free agent Athanasiou, 23, who was second on the team with 18 goals last season, continues to posture about offers from KHL teams. There are unconfirmed published reports that the Wings have offered Athanasiou a two-year deal valued at $1.9 million per season, while rumors are he has KHL offers worth in the neighborhood of $3 million per season. While at a negotiating impasse with Athanasiou, Parenteau certainly looks like a Plan B for the Wings, and one that comes with no strings attached. The 34-year-old right-winger, a journeyman who has played for eight NHL teams, has posted two 20-goals seasons in the league, with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015-16 and in 2010-11 for the New York Islanders. He scored 13 goals in 67 games last season, splitting the campaign between the New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators, and was minus-15. Parenteau was seldom-used during Nashville’s run to the Stanley Cup final, going pointless in five playoff games. Parenteau is one of those players who looks promising from a distance due to his point production and effective work on the power play. But he’s dismal without the puck and not very strong on the puck, so he can be easily pushed off it when in possession. His skating also leaves much to be desired. Parenteau will join David Booth as veteran NHL forwards in the Wings camp in a tryout basis. Russo Re-Signed In a bit of a puzzling move, the Wings re-signed defenseman Robbie Russo to a two-year contract. The pact would pay Russo $650,000 each season in the NHL. He’ll get $125,000 the first year if he’s in the AHL and $250,000 the second year. Someone who has put up points at every level of hockey on his way up the ladder, the Wings added Russo as a free agent two years ago when the New York Islanders, who drafted the six foot, 189-pound defender out of Notre Dame, opted not to sign him. He posted back-to-back 30-plus point seasons for AHL Grand Rapids, helping the Griffins win the Calder Cup title last spring, but went pointless in a 19-game stint with the Wings and showed absolutely no evidence of the offensive upside he supposedly brought to the ice. Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer