Lilja re-signs w/2-year, est. $2.4M deal

[skacore 2]

Lidstrom Rafalski

Kronwall Lilja

Lebda #6

#7

#8

#6-8 = Quincey, Meech, Chelios

Is there really any chance we'll sign an UFA defenseman? I don't see how we could... I think if we somehow get a top 4 guy it'll be at the expense of Quincey+ or Meech+ through a trade.

[WingsFANstuckintheSOUTH 10]

i have a feeling that Detroit will make a trade this summer involving lebda and one of quincey, meech, or eriksson...we'll see though

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

We are probaly only interested in a #4 D-man, so there is pretty much slim pickings.

Oprik,Commodore,Hainsey..

But with the slim amount of Tier 1 - Tier 2 Dmen, I can see Oprik,Commo,Hainsey all easily managing 3.5+ expecialy from weak defensive teams like ATL,PHX,LA,CBJ,NYR, and so on.. theres alot of teams that need D and alot of bidding will be going on.. and i dont see detroit being apart of it..

kinda happy about it too

[HenrikRules40 14]

*sigh* Two more years of heartburn. But who am I to disagree with KH. My boy knows his sh*t. If I remember correctly, we recently won some shiny trophy.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

All i have to say ... i cant beleive there are people that would rather have chelios to return then lilja

[DatsyukownzU13 1]

Bouwmeester please?

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronwall - Bouwmeester

Lilja - Lebda/Chelios/Meech/Quincey

That top 4 would be nasty, even though I know it won't happen.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Lidstrom Rafalski

Kronwall Lilja

Lebda #6

#7

#8

#6-8 = Quincey, Meech, Chelios

Is there really any chance we'll sign an UFA defenseman? I don't see how we could... I think if we somehow get a top 4 guy it'll be at the expense of Quincey+ or Meech+ through a trade.

There have been a few quotes in the freep about Holland basically considering trading one of them, if its the right avenue. The Wings are in a decent position despite what many think. If the Wings find a great fit on the market or via trade for the #4 position, they can trade a youngster. If they don't, they stand pat with a possibly identical Top 7 to what they started out with last year, only Meech (or Quincey, Ericsson) in Chelis spot and Cheli as #7.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Bouwmeester please?

Lidstrom - Rafalski

Kronwall - Bouwmeester

Lilja - Lebda/Chelios/Meech/Quincey

That top 4 would be nasty, even though I know it won't happen.

Haha yeah. The league leader in TOI sitting in the #4 position. I hope for Torontos sake they make a long-term play for Bouwmeester on an offer-sheet. Schenn and Bouwmeester is a heck of starting block on defense, and not a bad core if Kaberle sticks around.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Good re-signing.

For everyobdy who rags on Lilja, I'll get it out of the way...

We know he makes brainfarts every now and then.

We know he makes brainfarts of the eye-popping variety every now and then.

Is he my favorite? Far from it.

He is still an effective PKer and a shot-blocker, and that is coming straight from the coaching staff and players, not just Couch Potato Armchair Analyzer SouthernWingsFan. So I think the words of coaching staff and players are much more credible than mine.

It is a relatively inexpensive signing, the Wings still have plenty of cap-room left, and hopefully Lilja will remain just a 5th or 6th defenseman. I won't get too up in arms though if he's upgraded to a 4th defenseman. I'd love to see Meech and Quincey et al play more but we all know the Wings usually try to ease young guys in.

You can never have enough depth on defense.

[DraperFan MN 0]

Haha yeah. The league leader in TOI sitting in the #4 position. I hope for Torontos sake they make a long-term play for Bouwmeester on an offer-sheet. Schenn and Bouwmeester is a heck of starting block on defense, and not a bad core if Kaberle sticks around.

Honestly, I think Quincey is the odd man out here, because a kid everyone keeps forgetting about, is Ericsson.

I see:

Lids - Rafalski

Kronwall - Lilja

Ericsson - Meech/Lebda/Chelios

We also have Kindl and Ference sitting down there if we HAVE to call someone up. Maybe we just rent Stuart from the Kings again when they don't make the playoffs next year?

I liked Stuart, he was a big part of the run, but if he wants to be here, he has to understand that he can't be paid more than Kronner. He can't bring half of the hitting or offense Kronner can bring. Now, with that said, Stuart really allowed Kronner to open up his game this post-season, so I understand the argument there, but it just can't happen.

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

Honestly, I think Quincey is the odd man out here, because a kid everyone keeps forgetting about, is Ericsson.

I see:

Lids - Rafalski

Kronwall - Lilja

Ericsson - Meech/Lebda/Chelios

We also have Kindl and Ference sitting down there if we HAVE to call someone up. Maybe we just rent Stuart from the Kings again when they don't make the playoffs next year?

I liked Stuart, he was a big part of the run, but if he wants to be here, he has to understand that he can't be paid more than Kronner. He can't bring half of the hitting or offense Kronner can bring. Now, with that said, Stuart really allowed Kronner to open up his game this post-season, so I understand the argument there, but it just can't happen.

It all depends on what Quincey does out of Training Camp. I can see lebda coming out slow and ultimately giving Quincey,Meech the upper hand.. I think Lebda or Meech are the odd ones out, People are chasing after these puck moving d-men, I think they have more value then quincey..

Ference, is done in GR, so i've heard..

Stuart cant bring half the hitting that kronwall has? good joke mate. Kronwall will open ice you once every odd game, He's not a board warrior like Stuart.. Stuart was one of our most consistant checkers..

[dteowner 20]

As much as I hate the guy, $1.2mil for an experienced #6 is a good deal. Like I've said before, we'll just have to trust Babcock not to drop Lillypad into that #4 spot, where he's clearly over his head. That means Lebda or one of the kids gets thrown in the fire at #4. I think I can live with that. Sure, there will be some growing pains during the season, but by the time the playoffs roll around, the kids will know their way around an NHL rink.

Lids-Raffi

Kronner-Lebda

Meech-Lillypad

Cheli/Quincey

Ericsson spends most of the year with the Griffins due to his eligibility.

[octopusonice 0]

As much as I hate the guy, $1.2mil for an experienced #6 is a good deal. Like I've said before, we'll just have to trust Babcock not to drop Lillypad into that #4 spot, where he's clearly over his head. That means Lebda or one of the kids gets thrown in the fire at #4. I think I can live with that. Sure, there will be some growing pains during the season, but by the time the playoffs roll around, the kids will know their way around an NHL rink.

Lids-Raffi

Kronner-Lebda

Meech-Lillypad

Cheli/Quincey

Ericsson spends most of the year with the Griffins due to his eligibility.

My initial gut reaction was disappointment at signing Lilja, but at least they did not overpay for him, IMO.

[eva unit zero 271]

As much as I hate the guy, $1.2mil for an experienced #6 is a good deal. Like I've said before, we'll just have to trust Babcock not to drop Lillypad into that #4 spot, where he's clearly over his head. That means Lebda or one of the kids gets thrown in the fire at #4. I think I can live with that. Sure, there will be some growing pains during the season, but by the time the playoffs roll around, the kids will know their way around an NHL rink.

Lids-Raffi

Kronner-Lebda

Meech-Lillypad

Cheli/Quincey

I trust Lilja in the #4 role more than I do Lebda.

But I expect it to be Meech or Chelios if nobody else is signed. Meech outperformed Lebda and Lilja both when a top-four role was required, and Chelios is still Chelios. Most likely, we'll see a 50-game season for Chelios in a top-four capacity. This allows us to rest him when need be and to get Lebda/Meech/Quincey some decent time in, yet we aren't relying on unproven youth to be key players.

[sverige 0]

Good! Hate on haters...hate on! He is a very solid depth guy and the Wings would still be fine if he has to play in the #2 pairing. Remember, they didn't acquire Stewie until late in the season so it's not like the Wings will be absolutely devastated if he doesn't resign (even though I hope he does resign). Hopefully one of the rookies can step up in training camp and make things interesting.

I really want them to attempt to convert Meech to forward so they can keep him. I like him better than Kopecky, although Kopay was getting slightly better right before his injury.

[Majsheppard 203]

I can't even pretend to care about this.

I have no strong feelings one way or another.

[Majsheppard 203]

Haha yeah. The league leader in TOI sitting in the #4 position. I hope for Torontos sake they make a long-term play for Bouwmeester on an offer-sheet. Schenn and Bouwmeester is a heck of starting block on defense, and not a bad core if Kaberle sticks around.

If you got Jay, he would be number two. No disrespect to Brian.

I would think Jay would be on the second line but he would get more PK time and would most likely end up with more time on ice then Brian.

You would also be getting him to be number one for sure when Lids retires, which wouldn't be dumb. Then Ericsson could possibly take over number two from Rafalski.

Of course this is a dream world In which I would love to live.

BTW he leads the league in TOI because they only have two dmen worth a damn.

P.S. Eff Toronto. They can languish in last forever.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

2 years????

Cya Quincey.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

If you got Jay, he would be number two. No disrespect to Brian.

I would think Jay would be on the second line but he would get more PK time and would most likely end up with more time on ice then Brian.

You would also be getting him to be number one for sure when Lids retires, which wouldn't be dumb. Then Ericsson could possibly take over number two from Rafalski.

Of course this is a dream world In which I would love to live.

BTW he leads the league in TOI because they only have two dmen worth a damn.

P.S. Eff Toronto. They can languish in last forever.

What are you talking about? In the post I was addressing, Bouwmeester was on the 2nd pairing as a #3 or #4. I really dont need you to tell me that the league leader in TOI and current best player on his team at 24 years of age would be a top-pairing Dman.

[Superman54 91]

Considering we just signed Lilja, I don't see any reason why we should bring Chelios back too. I really do not think we need both of them, espicially Chelios.

[Reds4Life 51]

Great deal! Lilja for about 1 million is awesome

[Kp-Wings 3]

At the terms of the deal, it's hard to really complain.

The problem is Lilja as the #4 defenseman. We've all seen what he does when he get's too much ice time; he screws up, and badly. As a #5-6 guy who sees a more limited role, mostly used for the PK, he's not bad, but as a top 4 defenseman? I have no faith in him.

If only Stuart was more interested in coming back... this whole problem could be avoided...

[shannyfan1414 0]

Two more years with the pad. That is too bad. I thought for sure they would let him go this time around. I'm also suprise that he signed after not getting much time in the playoffs.

[dicksmack 33]

So that's 1.2m per monumental playoff gaffe. If Staal could have hit the net when Andreas fell and gave the puck away, it might have changed the series. Brutal goals against are hard to shake off. But I'm glad he's back, forum fodder that he is...

[Frozen-Man 144]

Not true. Offering Filppula a 3.5M relatively long-term contract is not simply "sticking it to the Wings". After Perry, the Ducks - more than any other team - need a 2nd line center. Its #2 on the priority list. It would kill a few birds with one stone in the event that Holland didn't match (which, at 3.5M as an example, is pretty much a given that he would).

Now, I'm certainly not saying its something thats guaranteed to happen. But I sure am hoping that Kenny is well aware of what sort of position hes putting himself in saying that he'll wait to sign a fairly valuable commodity til well into the summer..Given his record, I suppose we shouldnt worried.

And like I said in an earlier post, I'm guessing this position to wait and sign Flip relies heavily on what Zettererberg signs for.

I agree. I was not saying that getting Flip would be of no value, if you read the post that I was responding to the issue of Kenny stating that he would match any offer for Flip and was specifically about Burke offering $3.5M to Flip, not to sign him but to mess with our salary cap. That is what I was saying I did not think would happen. If Burke really wants Flip then he may offer him $3.5M in order to have a 2nd line center (Corey Perry is actually a RW) but that is not what the post I was responding to was about. My only point is that Burke is not going to risk getting a $3.5M contract (and the loss of draft picks associated with it), if he doesn't really want the player, just in the hopes of driving our payroll up.

Also, on a larger scale my point is that Kenny knows the other GM,s, players, and how to do his job better than any of us do (I mean he is the GM of the Stanley Cup champions and has his salaries and payroll in amazing shape) but there is an incessant questioning of how he goes about his job that just baffles me (not from you I realize that you say given his record we should trust him). Some people act like maybe Kenny hasn't thought of something very obvious like we could lose Flip as a RFA or that we will lose him or some GM will raise the price just because he said we would match any offer, but I just think that Kenny knows how to do his job better than we do and trust that he knows what he is doing.