The Secret 304 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I have never been a fan of Lilja for a number of reasons and have been a big promoter of getting rid of him but.... He's not won me over as a fan but I really should say that his play has come along and he really is playing well. That was hard for me to say but he is turning out to be a good keep this year for a 5 or 6 D-man. I hope he can keep it up and perhaps the future pairing of Lilja and Ericsson could be a possibility. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David 2 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 He's looked really good this year. Pretty much a 180 from the rest of his career. Keep it up Pain Train! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Yes. Same with Sammy. Same with Hudler. It's like our front office and coaching staff is really really good. Now, who wants to talk about Flip needing to go away? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Yes. Same with Sammy. Same with Hudler. It's like our front office and coaching staff is really really good. Now, who wants to talk about Flip needing to go away? Hudler's looking great too, that I agree. Sammy, although he has played well, I still don't like and I wouldn't be sad to see him go. Filpula?! Has the potential but will he find it in Detroit with all the guys ahead of him in the pecking order? Maybe trading Filpula for a good power forward or a good draft pick that could be used for a future power forward. Filpula needs more time and a bigger role and might benefit from a move to a team that could utilize him better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I have never been a lilja fan either. I always felt he was just a 3rd D pairing out there turning the puck over. But I am really impressed with him this year thus far. Lebda has been looking a lot more comfortable and is contributing more. Kronwall has had a good couple of games, hopefully he can build on this and turn his season around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I have never been a fan of Lilja for a number of reasons and have been a big promoter of getting rid of him but.... He's not won me over as a fan but I really should say that his play has come along and he really is playing well. That was hard for me to say but he is turning out to be a good keep this year for a 5 or 6 D-man. I hope he can keep it up and perhaps the future pairing of Lilja and Ericsson could be a possibility. The pairing of Lilja and Ericcson sends shivers down my spine and brings a smile to my face. I can't wait to see Jon in action. Lilja has been great this year (on a performance:ability ratio- not saying he's Norris material). I'm glad we have him. I've heard Jon will drop the gloves as well. Can you imagine being someone on the other team who has been cheapshotting and having to watch those two looking at you and talking in Swedish, not knowing if they are deciding which one will teach you a lesson? It just might equal having an enforcer. Almost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vincanni 1 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Always been a fan of both Sammy and Lilja and believed most criticism aimed at either one is the direct byproduct of playing along such amazing players like Lidstrom, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg, but considering their salary cap hit they're quality editions to the team and this year have been especially effective so I couldn't be happier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I've always been a lilja fan and he's getting even better. he's had a great season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I have never been a fan of Lilja for a number of reasons and have been a big promoter of getting rid of him but.... He's not won me over as a fan but I really should say that his play has come along and he really is playing well. That was hard for me to say but he is turning out to be a good keep this year for a 5 or 6 D-man. I hope he can keep it up and perhaps the future pairing of Lilja and Ericsson could be a possibility. A Lilja-Ericsson pairing would be AWESOME. Gotta admit, I've become a fan of the Pain Train this year. Very solid for us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I'm happy for him. Glad more of the fans and media are noticing. I hope he stays more than 2 years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,803 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I have never been a fan of Lilja for a number of reasons and have been a big promoter of getting rid of him but.... He's not won me over as a fan but I really should say that his play has come along and he really is playing well. That was hard for me to say but he is turning out to be a good keep this year for a 5 or 6 D-man. I hope he can keep it up and perhaps the future pairing of Lilja and Ericsson could be a possibility. Don't tell me that you're anti-enforcer too? Well, it's never too late to change. I'm glad that Andreas has made you see the light. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 He played an outstanding game yesterday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Don't tell me that you're anti-enforcer too? Well, it's never too late to change. I'm glad that Andreas has made you see the light. No no, I am not anti-enforcer... I am anti-meathead though. I would not want us to attain a player thats only good for fighting and thats it. I'm all for a Lucic type that can crash, bang, fight and score not so much for a Laraque who is only there for intimidation and serves little other purpose. Btw, I don't see Lilja as an enforcer at all, not even close. I just see less of the brain farts that made me dislike him. His game has improved and thus I don't see him as a liability like I used to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 He's looked really good this year. Pretty much a 180 from the rest of his career. Keep it up Pain Train! For his salary, Lilja was great last year too. The year before was a different story, but it tood the overwhelming masses some time last year to start to realize it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pjgj13 30 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I never was big on Lilja, but we needed size on "D" so we had to keep him (and he isn't overly expensive). This year he looks good and has been the most consistant defenseman this year. Lids and Raffy had some stretches where they looked not themselves. How about Cheli skating back on the breakaway and making an excellent play? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drwscc 212 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Long Live the Swedish Hammer! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dteowner 20 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I'll step up and admit that Lilypad has done well this year. While he was always fairly good as a stay-at-home #5/6, he couldn't resist making the complete bonehead screwup about every other game. Plus, he got used as a #1/2 for a while and was way over his head. This year, he's playing within his ability and he seems to have remembered his brain for most games. Hats off to the Pain Train. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 I was glad to hear even the NBC guy (Olzcyk I think) saying Lilja should have been one of the 3 stars yesterday. Might be the best game I've seen him play. And he's having a great season, he's pretty much been our 3rd best D-man imo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 When Train stood off against Moen all those years ago, I knew a legend was born. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted February 9, 2009 (edited) I have been quite a hater on Lilja but I gotta say he certainly is solidifying his spot on the roster and off my s*** list. He's impressed me quite a bit lately, despite all the team struggling defensively. Hopefully he keeps it up. He's playing some good hockey. Edited February 9, 2009 by Shoreline Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted February 9, 2009 He's good defensively considering he only make like 1.25M$ love the shot blocking ability and win battles in the corners, he could be faster in the decision making but huge improved overall since 2 years ago Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elshupacabra 0 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 Yeah, it turns out...if he limits his disastrous turn-overs and blocks shots he's not that bad of a player! Glad to see it! Keep it up Andreas! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-TownWing 0 Report post Posted February 9, 2009 It took me until this year to forgive him for Game 5 against Anaheim, but I'm squarely in Pain Train's corner now. He's easily been our 3rd best D all year, and he brings things to the table (physicality, shot blocking) that we don't necessarily have up and down our roster right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted February 10, 2009 It took me until this year to forgive him for Game 5 against Anaheim, but I'm squarely in Pain Train's corner now. He's easily been our 3rd best D all year, and he brings things to the table (physicality, shot blocking) that we don't necessarily have up and down our roster right now. S**t happens there. It sucks that it happened to Lilja who was one of the typical whipping boys back then, but to me that muffed pass was really one of those fluky things that maybe happens once every hundred games or so that you rarely see. It's not comparable to passing it blindly (or even awaringly) in the other team's zone leading to a turnover, taking a brainfart penalty in your offensive zone, etc. Sometimes stuff happens that the player has little control over. Muffed passes. You lose an edge and you fall. A stick breaks when you take a shot. Etc. That muffed pass was one of those instances I think. In terms of his game though, given his expected point production (which isn't a lot obviously to start) and playing style, he's been one of the more consistent and dependable defensemen so far this season I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
