Systemfel 33 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Translation of this blog by Swedish NHL correspondent Gunnar Nordström: Went by Detroit's locker room here in Pittsburgh after the team's light noon practice. Talked a bit to Andreas Lilja, who wouldn't mind staying with the Red Wings even though negotiations were put on hold about a month ago. Our conversation went down kind of like this: "How you doing, Lilja? What's up?" "Doing pretty well. You?" "I talked to Ken (Holland, Detroit's GM) the other day, he said that they would really like to extend your contract and that you would probably reach a new agreement after the finals. Your last contract negotiations went pretty smooth..." "Then you know more than I do. Sounds good. Maybe I should hire you as my agent." "Sure." "Might as well give you those three per cent the agent makes, or maybe you'll give me a bit of a discount? How about two per cent?" "Done." "Sweet." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 I hope it is for no more than 1 million. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaKineMaui 8 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 (edited) Do NOT get this done Kenny. :::::I'm on bended knee.......begging:::::::: Rather have needless a root canal each morning, and before I got to bed. I'll pay out of pocket for all of 'em too. Swear. Deal Kenny? Deal? Edited June 1, 2008 by DaKineMaui Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RyanBarnes! 293 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Why?? Detroit better focus on Stuart and with Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall and Stuart signed, I think the wise thing to do would be to insert more youth to the lineup in shape of Ericsson, Quincey and Meech to play alongside Lebda. That leaves no room for Lilja in my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 I'd be very surprised - I thought Lilja wanted more than he is worth (ie $1M+)? Given the 3 kids on D we need to start inserting into the line-up next season and the need to re-sign Stuart (and sort out Z and Mule) only way I see us resigning him is if Chelli retires and Stuart signs elsewhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltgator333 3 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Why?? Detroit better focus on Stuart and with Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall and Stuart signed, I think the wise thing to do would be to insert more youth to the lineup in shape of Ericsson, Quincey and Meech to play alongside Lebda. That leaves no room for Lilja in my opinion. QFT.. Couldn't have said it better myself! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MississippiWing 14 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Depends on other offseason deals i think. Lids will be a resign no doubt. I think Yzerman had an effect on him and he wants to be a career Wing. I think there are definitely a few guys that are ahead of Lilja on the resign list. I think after you knock those out you weigh his value against what he's askin. If there's room resign him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 If the signing is near or below $1 million (which it should be) I have absolutely no problem with this signing. Keep in mind that Lilja is nothing more than a bottom pairing Dman on this Wings team, and he's better than anyone else in the number 6 slot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Why?? Detroit better focus on Stuart and with Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall and Stuart signed, I think the wise thing to do would be to insert more youth to the lineup in shape of Ericsson, Quincey and Meech to play alongside Lebda. That leaves no room for Lilja in my opinion. While I can't argue this statement, thats Bab's call. If he feels that Ericsson, Quincey or Meech bring more to the team than Lilja, than he'd play them. Don't get me wrong, because I completely agree with infusing the Wings' youth into team, but I trust Babs to make the decision not only about who should be playing each night, but whats best for the team long term (which is a huge part of his job that people forget--not necessarily you). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Depends on other offseason deals i think. Lids will be a resign no doubt. I think Yzerman had an effect on him and he wants to be a career Wing. I think there are definitely a few guys that are ahead of Lilja on the resign list. I think after you knock those out you weigh his value against what he's askin. If there's room resign him. Lidstrom signed a 2 year extension earlier in the season. I also just remembered something Babs said in the Dallas? series. When he called Ericsson a stud who deserved to be playing in the NHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
omnipotent_hudler 0 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 meh, can't believe I'm saying this but keep Lilja, let Lebda walk. Meech and Quincy are the same kind of Defenseman as Lebda for the most part in any case(speedy but not very physical) i'd see our D like this Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Ericcsson Meech/Lebda that said I wouldn't give Lilja more than 1.5 mil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaVel DaTsYuK fan13 0 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 I don't see where he fits into our future, I'd much rather see Meech and Ericson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 I think with the amount and quality of young talent chomping at the bit for their chance to get in that someone on our current roster will not be back.... My hope is that its Lilja. I've heard Babcock praise the play of Ericsson predicting he will become a "stud" in the league... I have a hard time not seeing Ericsson in the line up next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinbin 3 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 I'll believe it , when I see it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Ericcsson Meech/Lebda that said I wouldn't give Lilja more than 1.5 mil I think you're right, but I wouldn't even give him 1 mil. he's good, but not that good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Lilja only stays if Stuart leaves. Stuart is a much more talented version of Lilja. Then, we can use some of our youth to play alongside Cheli or Lebda. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
omnipotent_hudler 0 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Lilja only stays if Stuart leaves. Stuart is a much more talented version of Lilja. Then, we can use some of our youth to play alongside Cheli or Lebda. I'd bet my right arm that Cheli will be gone if we win the cup Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Surely not? Quincey, Ericsson, Meech, Kindl, Smith, Pyett. We have so many young defenceman coming through the ranks, Lilja is expendable. The first two in particular are ready and re-signing Lilja would almost definitely spell the end of Quincey's time in Detroit which IMO would be a real shame. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casey 145 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Cheli's likely gone (which is sad, considering I only got my jersey for Christmas), so there's a slot to fill. I'd say sign Stuart, fill in with Ericsson or Meech, and maybe keep Lilja if he goes cheap. Aside from that, maybe go after Gonchar or one of the other UFA defensemen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinbin 3 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Chelios retires..... Stuart wins the cup & goes home to San Jose and management gives the young ones more time to acclimate...will Lilja will be re-signed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
#2WingsFan 0 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Please oh Please Don't Resign that Turd! Lilja has to go..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mule Train 0 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Cheli's likely gone (which is sad, considering I only got my jersey for Christmas), so there's a slot to fill. I'd say sign Stuart, fill in with Ericsson or Meech, and maybe keep Lilja if he goes cheap. Aside from that, maybe go after Gonchar or one of the other UFA defensemen. I hate to see Cheli go...he lends a great leadership and mentoring role to the team. I think it's undeniable that he hasn't played this series much because he looked like such a pylon against Dallas, though. From a toughness standpoint he could probably play the game to age 60 but he is really struggling against team speed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,205 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 This shouldn't surprise anyone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Rather see Quincey and Meech get a shot. Lilja is not worth keeping, I'd rather re-sign Chelios, at least if he's not playing he brings leadership to the team. Lilja would probably be at Burger King chowing down on some burgers watching the game on a 32" t.v. hanging from the corner of the restaurant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 This definetly wouldn't surprise me. He definetly is a top d man in the league, but he does play a role in the Wings system. (he skates around and makes mistakes while Lids, Rafi, Kronner, and Stuart are resting before their next shift) lol. actually he does block shots, which is a positive thing. Give him 750G's and call it a day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites