FunkedUp 29 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Big news from Joe Louis Arena today: Defenseman Andreas Lilja is practicing for the first time since February. Lilja hasn't been on the ice since suffering a concussion Feb. 28 when he was hit in the head during a fight with Nashville's Shea Weber. I just talked to general manager Ken Holland, and he told me Lilja "is not symptom free. What he's doing is a little exertion - he's no better, no worse. He skated on his own a couple of days ago, felt fine, and today he asked Piet (trainer Piet Van Zant) if he could go on the ice, and Piet said sure." Holland also told me Kris Draper (undisclosed injury) will miss Games 1 and 2 against Anaheim. Draper has yet to appear in the 2009 playoffs, though he has been practicing all along. It's way too early to speculate on a return for Lilja, but given that he has been out for two months, he's obviously got a ways to go just to regain his conditioning - and then there's the matter of getting back his timing. If he is able to return, he'd bump Brett Lebda from the lineup and be on the third pairing opposite big Jonathan Ericsson. Brian Rafalski is missing from practice but Holland said it was "just to give him a day off." Dan Cleary also wasn't on the ice; Holland said that's because of flu (and no, no fear of swine flu - I asked). Holland said he expects both Cleary and Rafalski to be ready for Friday's Game 1 against Anaheim. Great stuff. I'm really glad to see Lilja practicing again. Hopefully, he'll be alright. It would be great for him to come back this playoff run, though I'm not overly optomistic. Drapes is out for games 1 and 2, but I think we'll see him by game 3. Thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Super happy that lilja is back on the ice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dicksmack 33 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Good stuff Lilja! Get well and we'll see ya next year! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 0 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 (edited) That flu bug needs to get out of the locker room. Edited April 30, 2009 by Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dicksmack 33 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Does Draper's injury mean we'll see Mr. Leino? I think Leino would be great in the post-season--he's clearly a battler with a scoring touch! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Does Draper's injury mean we'll see Mr. Leino? I think Leino would be great in the post-season--he's clearly a battler with a scoring touch! It means we'll keep on seeing the same line up that we're seeing. Two forwards would need to be out before an active roster spot opens up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 It means we'll keep on seeing the same line up that we're seeing. Two forwards would need to be out before an active roster spot opens up. Or we could always remove everyone's favorite dead weight from the 4th line. I'm expecting to see the Ducks' clobber him relentlessly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Or we could always remove everyone's favorite dead weight from the 4th line. I'm expecting to see the Ducks' clobber him relentlessly. Yeah, they can do virtually anything they want with the roster at any time, but Mike seems content with the status quo for now. The 4th line wasn't the obvious, glaring weakness it was during the season, which I'm sure we can largely credit to the addition of Darren Helm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RusDRW 155 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 really happy to hear that Lilja is on the ice... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Yeah, they can do virtually anything they want with the roster at any time, but Mike seems content with the status quo for now. The 4th line wasn't the obvious, glaring weakness it was during the season, which I'm sure we can largely credit to the addition of Darren Helm. Yea I think having Helm around enhanced my calm about the 4th line, it didn't really matter who he was paired with, I was usually looking for #43 the whole time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Yeah, they can do virtually anything they want with the roster at any time, but Mike seems content with the status quo for now. The 4th line wasn't the obvious, glaring weakness it was during the season, which I'm sure we can largely credit to the addition of Darren Helm. Remember though, it is not his call who comes up or gets sent down, he's only able to work with the players that Kenny gives him. So if and when the Wings lose a game or two, maybe then Holland will call up Leino, or if and when the Griffins get knocked out of the playoffs is when we'll see Leino. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Yea I think having Helm around enhanced my calm about the 4th line, it didn't really matter who he was paired with, I was usually looking for #43 the whole time. I really want to see a Helm-Leino fourth line, but I know to see that we'd either have to have lost a game or two or that the Griffs are out of the playoffs. Helm has been fantastic thus far, aside from game 4 where most of the Wings looked lost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Remember though, it is not his call who comes up or gets sent down, he's only able to work with the players that Kenny gives him. So if and when the Wings lose a game or two, maybe then Holland will call up Leino, or if and when the Griffins get knocked out of the playoffs is when we'll see Leino. Actually, before the playoffs, Holland said that he would call someone up, if Babcock said he would play him, so it sounds like Babcock has the call, right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Am I the only one being eaten alive at the thought of having Lilja/Ericsson and Helm/Draper NOT being able to play together? That would be GREAT against the Quacks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown_Ryan 122 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Awesome to hear Lilja has been cleared to practice...hopefully is good to go.. Will Jonathon "E" be scratched? for Lilja? I kinda hope not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EuroTwin 240 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 Awesome to hear Lilja has been cleared to practice...hopefully is good to go.. Will Jonathon "E" be scratched? for Lilja? I kinda hope not. I think Lebda would be scratched, not Rig. Which means a Big Rig/Pain Train pairing which I would <3 to the end of time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted April 30, 2009 (edited) Which means a Big Rig/Pain Train pairing which I would <3 to the end of time. Not only is that a good pairing, but that is one BA name. You got the Euro Twins and the defensive machine of Big Rig and Pain Train. Great to see that Lils is at least doing some things on ice. I'd be nice if he could come back for the Final, but it's unlikely. I really love that beardly playoff beard of his. (see my sig.) Edited April 30, 2009 by wingnut40 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
