During the Stanley Cup Finals, Detroit defenceman Andreas Lilja expressed fears for his career after suffering a concussion Feb. 28 that ended his season.
Those fears appear to be well-founded as Lilja is still suffering headaches.
"We don't know where Andreas Lilja is going to be at when camp opens," Wings general manager Ken Holland said.
"(Athletic trainer) Piet Van Zant spoke to him (Wednesday) and he still has symptoms. I'm really not sure about him."
Holland said he's thought about possibly trading a defenceman to free up more cap space, but he said with Lilja's uncertain future he'd hesitate to do that now.
With Lilja sidelined, Detroit could achieve the same goal by placing him on the long-term injured reserve list and have his salary come off the cap. Last season, Lilja earned $1.25 million."
-- Dave Waddell of the Windsor Star
over 2 years ago
Christy
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I think it is time to move on from Lilja. He’s uncertain if he’ll ever play again and he still has headaches 4 months later. He was never exactly a great defenseman to begin with. Bring someone up from Grand Rapids or sign someone. Our defensive corps for next year is damned strong as it with Lidstrom and Rafalski, Stuart and Kronwall, and Ericsson with someone else. If Lilja doesn’t look too well right now, I say we move for now. If he comes back in a season, great. We have an extra defenseman. Put him on the long term and recoup his cap hit.
Andreas Lilja
I like Lilja’s size but he has had occasional issues with giving up the puck in front of the net and seems to occasionally forget basic defensive strategies of the game. I’d say put him on long term IR and recover his cap hit and call up Ericsson to fill the gap. While Ericsson gives up a bit of size compared to Lilja he’s more than proven he’s capable and he’s earned his chance to move up to full time NHL play with his performance during the playoffs.
Feel bad for the guy
He’s a great physical presence and he puts forth a great amount of effort. I wish him a full recovery but I also understand if he’s never the same again. Concussions are serious business (ask Eric Lindros or Steve Young) and any risk taken to try and play again could be a matter of life or death.
And if we trade a defenseman, it better not be Brad Stuart. The guy has gotten a bad rep for poor play in one game but has played phenomenal the rest of his time in Detroit.
And besides that, he and Kronwall are amazing together. Though I wouldn’t be surprised since it is pretty much established that when Lidstrom retires our front line will be Kronwall and Ericsson. Rafalski (if he is still around) will move to the second line, I think. Stuart will lose his partner at this point.
by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 2, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
I just hope
Lidstrom re-signs with us next summer. I would imagine he wouldn’t leave the team he spent his whole career with but it’s still in the back of my mind. I agree with you that Big E and Kronwall are the future top blueliners and I think Rafalski will be fine being second line, he’s got great character and I doubt he’d be outspoken about it.
A lot hinges on Mr. Lilja’s health though.
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