Headaches worse for Red Wings' Andreas Lilja

[Guest mindfly]

DETROIT -- Red Wings defenseman Andreas Lilja said his headaches have been "really bad'' the last couple of days, after having experienced some improvement in recent weeks.

He is concerned about being ready for the start of next season. He has been out since Feb. 28.

"I've heard players it takes up to a year, like (Andy) McDonald, he was out for 13 months,'' Lilja said. "Of course there's concern. (Teammate Brad Stuart) was out for six months. After this is over, I just have to sit down and take it easy for a while, see if that helps.''

Lilja said he can at least drive and he doesn't get dizzy, something other players with concussion-like symptoms have experienced.

"It's just headaches all the time,'' Lilja said. "It doesn't get worse because I drive a car or it doesn't get better because I lie down. I don't know what it is. I just have to wait."

He doesn't second-guess his decision to fight Nashville's Shea Webber, who tagged him with a punch to the chin.

"If I had been in the same situation, I probably would do the same thing again,'' Lilja said. "It was a frustrating moment, we were down 5-0, I just wanted to do something.''

Watching the playoffs has been difficult.

"That's the worst feeling right there. I can't do anything about it, just sit there and watch and hope,'' Lilja said. "I know these guys are going to pull it through somehow, but still it's really, really nerve-wracking to watch.''

Doesn't sound good at all

[maltbymaniac 13]

what a bummer.

[pirateasaurus 0]

I am sure it's all of the stress he is going through having to sit out and watch games of such magnitude. He must be twice as nervous as any of us are. I am sure things will improve when we win it.

[Carman 387]

It's a shame he is out for these playoff's, he really improved drastically this year and I hope he can come back next year. He is a great 5-6 defenseman for us.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

It's a shame that so many great enforcers have had their careers shortened due to injuries.

I hope he's not the next to go through with that.

[ManLuv4Clears 7]

I raise my glass to you Lils, get better sir.

[mmorland 16]

How sad will it be if somehow this is a career ender?

[FunkedUp 29]

Well its not like we ever had to deal with freak injuries to our defenseman before...

AGH!!!!! Lilja would be a big boost to our PK and our blocked shot totals would be higher. Get well Lils!

[OsGOD 3]

I have a feeling too they could also be magnified by the constant changing of temperatures around here. I know myself i have been getting headaches frequently as the temps go from 70's one day to 50's and rain the next.

[Booster313 138]

I hope Lil's is ok at least enough to celebrate with the team and to play in sweden next year.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Interesting, if this hold up and the Wings also win the cup this year.

Konstantinov:Cup win in 1998

Fischer: Cup win in 2008

Lilja: Cup win in 2009

That would mean 3 of the Wings five cup wins were preceded by injuries to some great defensemen.

[Guest Shoreline]

Boy, I bet he'll return to action just wanting to get into another pointless fight, amirite?

Poor guy.

[Chunkylover 26]

It's a shame he is out for these playoff's, he really improved drastically this year and I hope he can come back next year. He is a great 5-6 defenseman for us.

I get the feeling that he's a great locker room presence as well. He sounds very intelligent and passionate when interviewed and is probably a steadying voice behind the scenes. He did indeed improve this year. Hope he can at least finish out his contract.

Interesting, if this hold up and the Wings also win the cup this year.

Konstantinov:Cup win in 1998

Fischer: Cup win in 2008

Lilja: Cup win in 2009

That would mean 3 of the Wings five cup wins were preceded by injuries to some great defensemen.

What an unfortunate coincidence. Although it sounds terrible I hope this holds true this year. Do it for Lils!

[Doggy 130]

Interesting, if this hold up and the Wings also win the cup this year.

Konstantinov:Cup win in 1998

Fischer: Cup win in 2008

Lilja: Cup win in 2009

That would mean 3 of the Wings five cup wins were preceded by injuries to some great defensemen.

But Jiri Fischer's heart thing happened like 3 years before 2008. I don't see the pattern.

Edited June 12, 2009 by Doggy

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

all this cause of a damn fight.

I hope he somehow gets better and will be able to play next season.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

GET BETTER!

[dicksmack 33]

It's a shame that so many great enforcers have had their careers shortened due to injuries.

I hope he's not the next to go through with that.

? And some would-be enforcers get get a lucky shot in on a tough guy and then proceed to get their faces punched in later...

Reality aside, I hope he' ready to go next year!

[tdinc 45]

Get better Lilja

[Doc Holiday 0]

But Jiri Fischer's heart thing happened like 3 years before 2008. I don't see the pattern.

I'm not saying it happens DIRECTLY after. All I'm saying is that there WAS an injurty some time PRIOR to the Wings winning a cup in three of the last five.

[ryan983 0]

ouch, get better soon.

[VM1138 1,921]

Get better soon, Lilja, you've really come a long way and you're now a staple on this team.

[dicksmack 33]

Get better soon, Lilja, you've really come a long way and you're now a staple on this team.

It would have been great to see him in these playoffs, what with how good he was playing...

[Aussie_Wing 354]

It would have been great to see him in these playoffs, what with how good he was playing...

I'd much rather him out there than Ericsson.

[Guest mindfly]

I'd much rather him out there than Ericsson.

Lilja-Ericsson > Lilja-Lebda... though.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Doesn't sound good. Must be hell for him. Not only being unable to play, but living with headaches for months. And when it seems to be getting better, it suddenly gets worse again.

Let's hope it gets better once the stress and excitement of the playoffs end. I want Ericsson/Lilja as our 3rd d-pair next season.