Lilja still possible trade bait

[crotty99 302]

http://www.behindthejersey.com/

Mike Stone: You mention defense, I was kind of surprised that you re-signed Lilja. Not that I think that he’s bad or anything like that, but, with the three young kids, Meech, Quincey, and Ericsson, I really thought this was going to be the year they’d really get to play a lot, and I was kind of surprised. Talk about the reason you decided to re-up with Anders…

Ken Holland: Well… (pauses) Um, we like the kids; are they ready to go? You know, our feeling is, we’re gonna go to camp; we’ve really got ten defensemen that we think can play, now, are gonna be NHL defensemen. We’ve got four kids on the back end, Lebda, Quincey, Meech, and Ericsson, Kindl’s probably a year away…

Lilja’s an insurance policy. If they’re not quite ready, he can play; if they are ready, then we’ll have to make some decisions on, everybody’s looking for defense. We’re not gonna have any problem if we want to make a trade in training camp. You know, on the defense, we’re talking about, they all make, you know, Lilja’s the highest-paid player at a million-and-a-quarter, everybody and lower, I don’t see that we’re going to have any problem making a deal. Let’s get to training camp, let’s evaluate where we’re at with those kids, and we’re basically, I guess, we’ve deferred to make that decision in September instead of in June.

[dteowner 20]

Interesting that Lebda is included with "the kids".

I like that Lillypad's potentially on the block, though.

[Guest mindfly]

Isn't Lebda like 26 years old?

[betterREDthandead 58]

As I've said.....whoever gets traded, hopefully it's the one that'll bring the highest draft pick in return. (Hopefully we keep Ericsson though. Personal favorite.)

[55fan 5,133]

I realize all is fair in love and hockey, but I have to wonder if they said something to Lilja when he signed. I would be hating it if I went away thinking I had dodged a bullet only to find that he was choosing the shade of red for the bull's eye on my back.

<sigh> and my dad was so happy they re-signed Lilja. I don't think I'll tell him about this.

[crotty99 302]

<sigh> and my dad was so happy they re-signed Lilja.

..is your dad a pens fan?

haha i kid, i kid

Edited July 10, 2008 by crotty99

[Nev 1,085]

Its generally considered poor form to sign someone to a contract then trade them at the first opportunity.

And the most we'd get for Lilja - especially when everyone knows we need to dump a Dman - would be 4th, maybe a 3rd.

[grimace1970 81]

Oh please, oh please, oh please....

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I think Kenny would move Q, Meech or Lebda before he moved Lilja (and rightfully so). This article basically states that one will have to be moved, but I don't think Kenny would move Lilja given the sign-and-trade no-no.

As I've said.....whoever gets traded, hopefully it's the one that'll bring the highest draft pick in return. (Hopefully we keep Ericsson though. Personal favorite.)

I don't think you have anything to worry about it. It seems the Wings brass is really high on Ericsson (especially Babs). If any guys are gonna be moved it'll be Meech or Q.

[ilmickeyli 40]

I agree NFM.. Why sign lilly pads then just trade him away? It better not be Meech :mad:

Edited July 10, 2008 by ilmickeyli

[egroen 384]

If he can just get something, I will be happy no matter what happens. With our scouts, I love the idea of stockpiling low picks. The worst thing would be to lose someone through waivers... I was disappointed we lost Ellis for nothing.

Whether it is Lilja, Lebda, Quincey or Meech who goes I'll be fine with it. I don't think any of them have that much potential (they are all fine bottom pairing defenceman). I'm definitely more interested in the next batch: Ericsson, Kindl, Pyett, Smith.

Edited July 10, 2008 by egroen

[Matt 1,049]

This is based off the July 2nd radio interview on WDFN with Holland, which was originally posted here:

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...0&p=1416542