Per Sipple, Wings are close to signing Lilja

[B.B. 0]

Holland discusses state of team

Based on that, it sounds like Stuart is gone, Lilja is back. And, if they re-sign Chelli, then here are the 8 D-men:

Lids-Rafalski

Kronwall-Lilja

Lebda/Quincey/Meech/ Chelios

I found it interesting that he specifically mentions Meech as needing to get PT. Plus, it sounds like there will only be one-year deals given, and he is looking for a veteran forward again. I think Peca would be perfect for that role. Can play center, allow Helm to develop more in GR if need be, is a playoff warrior, and is a great defensive forward.

Thoughts?

[zata40 3]

[VM1138 1,921]

Excuse my French in regards to the Lilja on the second pair speculation: f***.

What a gaping hole Stuart would leave.

[Heaton 1]

I know that for the fans the season is just a mere formality and the thought process is what does it hurt to give these kids the icetime that Lilja or Chelios would get to give them the experience and look needed to see what they have but I think for a team like Detroit that's the wrong idea. The Red Wings thrive on consistency and the ability to try and play the same way every game. It's a good idea in theory to just rotate rookies in the lineup because of how much of a machine the Wings usually are but I think the process of going game in and game out of the type of lineup that gives them the best chance to win every game. Sure giving Quincey 10 minutes a game for about 20 games isn't going to kill anything but I think the method the Wings use to bring along players is pretty damn good. All these kids have to do is beat out Lilja, Chelios or Meech and the spot is theirs.

Keeping a guy like Lilja around is beneficial to the stability of the team, if it wasn't going to be Lilja it was going to be someone else. The Wings weren't going to carry 3 green defensemen just because there's a logjam there, they'll use the same process that has resulted in many a superstar.

[Heaton 1]

Excuse my French in regards to the Lilja on the second pair speculation: f***.

What a gaping hole Stuart would leave.

Based on the past two seasons the odds of Lilja starting off on the 2nd pairing is pretty slim.

[Rivalred 630]

Lilja played well and he is an asset to the team...

If Stuart does not sign, I am sure the Wings have a back up plan...

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

He's toying with the media, and the potential players out there on the market. We've got the cup now. We don't need to make changes, but if someone wishes to grace us with their presence, we'll consider it. He states that they have all this free cash, then says they'll pick up someone for 3-4mil if it's the right fit.

Don't take my opinion as a bad thing... I think it's hilarious.

Edited June 23, 2008 by CaliWingsNut

[Doc Holiday 0]

What use do we have of Chelios? He is way past his prime, takes dumb penalties, and was a healthy scratch during the most important part of the season.

I understand he is a veteran but I never saw him as a really valuable asset to the team since we picked him up. If I was him I'd understand I may not be as useful anymore and retire. Or maybe do what Larionov did and play for another team for one more year.

[Dabura 12,232]

I know that for the fans the season is just a mere formality and the thought process is what does it hurt to give these kids the icetime that Lilja or Chelios would get to give them the experience and look needed to see what they have but I think for a team like Detroit that's the wrong idea. The Red Wings thrive on consistency and the ability to try and play the same way every game. It's a good idea in theory to just rotate rookies in the lineup because of how much of a machine the Wings usually are but I think the process of going game in and game out of the type of lineup that gives them the best chance to win every game. Sure giving Quincey 10 minutes a game for about 20 games isn't going to kill anything but I think the method the Wings use to bring along players is pretty damn good. All these kids have to do is beat out Lilja, Chelios or Meech and the spot is theirs.

Keeping a guy like Lilja around is beneficial to the stability of the team, if it wasn't going to be Lilja it was going to be someone else. The Wings weren't going to carry 3 green defensemen just because there's a logjam there, they'll use the same process that has resulted in many a superstar.

Personally, I'd want the second pairing to be solidified sooner rather than later, considering the potential adjustment period needed to adequately familiarize a new guy with the Wings' system. Case in point: Rafalski looked uncomfortable/lost at times during the postseason, even though 1) the Wings' system is the system he was born to play, and 2) he had the whole regular season to get comfortable with it -- and playing with Nick, at that. (Note: That's not to take anything away from Raffi.)

But yeah, I assume Lilja will be back and that the #3/#4 spot will be more or less up for grabs for the better part of the regular season.

[55fan 5,133]

I kind of doubt that Drake will be back, based on this article:

Drake article

As for the D-men, I'd like to see more of Ericksson (hopefully I'll get the spelling down if he's a regular).

[Superman54 91]

Holland loves his defense, and if Stuart walks I have a feeling we will be seeing a new Defensemen on the wings before the season starts. I like how he mentioned a replacement for Drake, please be Nolan!

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

We should just replace Lilja with Erickson or Meech and save the money to try to steal an upgrade for Stuart if its possible with the available players.

[zata40 3]

We should just replace Lilja with Erickson or Meech and save the money to try to steal an upgrade for Stuart if its possible with the available players.

I agree

I dont want Lilja back (he's ok but we can do better)

[B.B. 0]

From the sounds of that article, we are going to do the same thing as we did this year: Let Lijla play with Kronwall and see if he earns the role. If not, then we will go out and acquire another #4 D-man at the deadline. Then, Lilja will slide to the bottom pairing, or, depending how our youngsters play, not play at all.

FWIW, here are the potential 2009 UFA defensemen. Hence, the guys most likely to be our targets at the deadline b/c there deal would expire. Granted, some D-men, like Rob Blake, will get one-year deals and this list will change as players are re-signed, but it gives us a pretty good idea who would be available.

Defenseman

Player Height Weight Shot Prev. Team Prev. Cap New Team New Cap

Andrew Alberts 6'5" 218 L BOS 1.25M - -

Adrian Aucoin 6'2" 212 R CGY 4M - -

Christian Backman 6'4" 210 L NYR 2.3M - -

Francois Beauchemin 6'0" 213 L ANA 1.65M - -

Marc-Andre Bergeron 5'10" 197 L MIN 1.2255M - -

Philippe Boucher 6'3" 218 R DAL 2.5M - -

Francis Bouillon 5'8" 196 L MTL 1.875M - -

Nick Boynton 6'2" 210 R PHX 2.95M - -

Ben Clymer 6'1" 200 R WSH 983.333k - -

Mathieu Dandenault 6'0" 204 R MTL 1.725M - -

Greg de Vries 6'2" 215 L NSH 2.5M - -

Anders Eriksson 6'3" 224 L CGY 1.5M - -

John Erskine 6'4" 218 L WSH 537.5k - -

Hal Gill 6'7" 250 L PIT 2.075M - -

Derian Hatcher 6'5" 235 L PHI 3.5M - -

Niclas Havelid 6'0" 200 L ATL 2.7M - -

Shane Hnidy 6'2" 204 R BOS 757.5k - -

Kent Huskins 6'3" 209 L ANA 625k - -

Ken Klee 6'0" 210 R ATL 1.25M - -

Mike Komisarek 6'4" 240 R MTL 1.7M - -

Filip Kuba 6'5" 225 L TB 3M - -

Lasse Kukkonen 6'1" 190 L PHI 875k - -

Jordan Leopold 6'1" 200 L COL 1.5M - -

Kyle McLaren 6'4" 235 L SJ 2.5M - -

Derek Morris 6'0" 220 R PHX 3.916667M - -

Cory Murphy 5'10" 185 L FLA 825k - -

Douglas Murray 6'3" 240 L SJ 550k - -

Scott Niedermayer 6'1" 200 L ANA 6.75M - -

Lawrence Nycholat 5'11" 197 L OTT 550k - -

Sean O'Donnell 6'3" 234 L ANA 1.25M - -

John Oduya 6'0" 200 L NJ 600k - -

Mattias Ohlund 6'2" 220 L VAN 3.5M - -

Thomas Pock 6'1" 210 L NYR 667.5k - -

Mathieu Schneider 5'11" 195 L ANA 5.625M - -

Rob Scuderi 6'0" 218 L PIT 712.5k - -

Martin Skoula 6'3" 226 L MIN 1.8M - -

Karlis Skrastins 6'1" 210 L FLA 2.4M - -

Jaroslav Spacek 5'11" 204 L BUF 3.333333M - -

Darryl Sydor 6'1" 211 L PIT 2.5M - -

David Tanabe 6'1" 212 R CAR 750k - -

Derrick Walser 5'10" 190 L TOR 512.5k - -

Rhett Warrener 6'1" 203 R CGY 2.35M - -

Brendan Witt 6'2" 223 L NYI 2.766667M - -

Greg Zanon 5'11" 211 L NSH 725k - -

Alexei Zhitnik 5'11" 225 L ATL 3.50375M - -

Sergei Zubov 6'1" 198 R DAL 5.35M - -

Thoughts on those guys? Of the guys most likely to get traded, I could see us going for Ohlund (assuming, of course, that Vancouver is out of playoff contention).

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I want Stewie damn it.

[edicius 3,269]

What use do we have of Chelios? He is way past his prime, takes dumb penalties, and was a healthy scratch during the most important part of the season.

I understand he is a veteran but I never saw him as a really valuable asset to the team since we picked him up. If I was him I'd understand I may not be as useful anymore and retire. Or maybe do what Larionov did and play for another team for one more year.

What we need to do is inject him with a toxin that'll cause him to die unless he keeps his adrenaline up.

Wait, wrong Chelios. My mistake.

[Majsheppard 203]

Serriously, why bother with Lilja. I'll let the young guys play, or better yet SIGN SOMEONE!!!

[redwinger4747 6]

Ron Hainsey as a #4? Doesn't seem like a bad idea if we lose Stewie.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

From the sounds of that article, we are going to do the same thing as we did this year: Let Lijla play with Kronwall and see if he earns the role. If not, then we will go out and acquire another #4 D-man at the deadline. Then, Lilja will slide to the bottom pairing, or, depending how our youngsters play, not play at all.

What are you smoking? Lilja is in his 30s. Hes a career bottom pairing Dman. Hes not going to get any better. You know what youre getting with him. And its AT BEST a #5 Dmen. And for the record, Kronwall-Lilja got its chance, and it was nothing special. Kronwall should get a legit #4 Dman to pair up with. Its clear that he performs best when this is the case.

I'm so sick of this team dicking around with the #4 spot. Either sign a legit #4 or let the kids duke it out while giving Kronwall increased ice time. The only time we ever addressed it was with Stuart. And look what happened. We won the cup. It was arguably our best D pairing in the playoffs and is likely what put us over the edge. Kronwall thrived with a guy like Stuart by his side.

It doesnt seem like Holland and co. are even investigating the possibilities of whats on the open market or what could be had via trade. I know Im getting a little excited over this, Im just sick of the merry-go-round we constantly have in our bottom 3. Not to mention the time it takes away from Ericsson especially. Hes what, 25 years old and has yet to get into the lineup while cleary belonging there?

[Majsheppard 203]

What we need to do is inject him with a toxin that'll cause him to die unless he keeps his adrenaline up.

Wait, wrong Chelios. My mistake.

That's Chip Chelios, I hear he bangs chicks infront of tour busses.

[edicius 3,269]

That's Chip Chelios, I hear he bangs chicks infront of tour busses.

I'm glad someone got the reference.

(Although, it's Chev Chelios, but same diff... )

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

We tried Lilja with Kronwall at the start of last season and it didnt work. I am very disappointed in Brad Stuart, if it was me, I wouldnt think about leaving a cup winning team for some 2nd of the pack team in California. Lilja, we should just let him go already. He's worn out his usefullness, I'd rather have a guy like Commodore or Smith in his spot, so we can have a bit more grit on the back end.

Good to hear Holland is bringing back Mac and thinking about bring back Downey, they could use them both.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Ok so...This is Hollands plan according to the article:

*Re-sign Lilja

*Add an old guy up front

*Move a Dman or two

*Not budge on his offer to Stuart

*Not offer anything more than 3-4M on a one year contract to someone.

[B.B. 0]

What are you smoking? Lilja is in his 30s. Hes a career bottom pairing Dman. Hes not going to get any better. You know what youre getting with him. And its AT BEST a #5 Dmen. And for the record, Kronwall-Lilja got its chance, and it was nothing special. Kronwall should get a legit #4 Dman to pair up with. Its clear that he performs best when this is the case.

I'm so sick of this team dicking around with the #4 spot. Either sign a legit #4 or let the kids duke it out while giving Kronwall increased ice time. The only time we ever addressed it was with Stuart. And look what happened. We won the cup. It was arguably our best D pairing in the playoffs and is likely what put us over the edge. Kronwall thrived with a guy like Stuart by his side.

It doesnt seem like Holland and co. are even investigating the possibilities of whats on the open market or what could be had via trade. I know Im getting a little excited over this, Im just sick of the merry-go-round we constantly have in our bottom 3. Not to mention the time it takes away from Ericsson especially. Hes what, 25 years old and has yet to get into the lineup while cleary belonging there?

I never said they should do that, I simply said that they will do that. At least, from the sounds of it, they will. Holland is worried, and rightfully so, about the amount of cap space available for next off-season. He doesn't want to sign anybody long-term. I really don't see the need to have both Lilja and Chelli, but it does give us additional depth in case of injuries. Worse comes to worse, we are going to have A LOT of cap space at the deadline, and we can acquire any big-name D-man that is available at the deadline. Of course, that is provided that we are willing to part with our prospects, and that some of those UFA D-men that I listed above are up for grabs at the deadline.

[rage 24]

To bad Stuart won't sign a 2 or 3 year deal with us!!