droz 5 Report post Posted October 5, 2010 Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Andreas Lilja is still looking for a job, after the San Jose Sharks announced today that they will not offer him a contract. Lilja, 35, had been in Sharks camp on a tryout. "Andreas had a very competitive camp and played well for us but we also have several young defenseman who played well," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said in a release. "They have put in their time in the organization and we feel that they have earned and deserve an opportunity to compete for a spot on this team." Lilja is in a bind because his work visa expires on Sunday. [/url]The Red Wings offered him a one-year contract for $1 million earlier this summer, but he turned it down, believing he could get a two-year deal worth more money from another club. His chances of returning to the Red Wings ended when the club signed Ruslan Salei to a one-year deal on Aug. 9. MILive Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted October 5, 2010 Go talk to Yzerman, Lilja. 1 Konnan511 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted October 5, 2010 This is being discussed in the Sharks / Lilja Training Camp Invite thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Motown4013 350 Report post Posted October 5, 2010 Good Luck Lils....I wish you all the best! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted October 5, 2010 I bet he is kicking himself for being too greedy now! His greed might have knocked him right out of the league. I think he was lucky to have been offered 1 year at 1 mill after having to miss a year with a soft head... the rare player in Detroit that does not show his loyalty back to the team 1 F.Michael reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T.Low 1,011 Report post Posted October 5, 2010 Can't help but wonder if that was due to a persuasive agent, or was it his idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeymom1960 5,107 Report post Posted October 5, 2010 I bet he is kicking himself for being too greedy now! His greed might have knocked him right out of the league. I think he was lucky to have been offered 1 year at 1 mill after having to miss a year with a soft head... the rare player in Detroit that does not show his loyalty back to the team I don't think it had anything to do with money. He wanted more ice time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted October 5, 2010 I don't think it had anything to do with money. He wanted more ice time. The talk was that he wanted 1.5 million, and the team offered 1 million. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheDetroitRedWings 286 Report post Posted October 5, 2010 He should've just accepted the original offer. Big mistake Lilja. Although, I'm glad he turned it down. Cause now we have a replacement that is an upgrade to Lilja; Ruslan Salei. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kira 451 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 I suppose he could go talk to the Islanders...they're desperate already and the season hasn't even started. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 I don't think it had anything to do with money. He wanted more ice time. Bad decision any way you look at it... coming off of a very serious injury, visa set to expire, being offered a job with a team you know and like. Bad call. Too bad, he was really winning me over as a fan before his injury too. I do think Salei, if healthy, could be a much better and cheaper replacement anyway. Good luck Lilja. 1 haroldsnepsts reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 Give him a two-way deal and he can play in Grand Rapids and help mentor the younger players. They could use him to teach some PK'n and shot blocking down there. 1 Wings_Toledo reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kira 451 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 You may be on to something there. And I might even go see the Griffins a couple times were he there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,793 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 Apparently, the Sharks are content with having Joe Thornton as their enforcer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 (edited) Apparently, the Sharks are content with having Joe Thornton as their enforcer. Frazer Mclaren? Edited October 6, 2010 by jollymania 1 soultrain reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soultrain 43 Report post Posted October 6, 2010 Frazer Mclaren? i believe so Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted October 8, 2010 Now that Lilja is gone the remaining Swedes have all been drafted by the Red Wings. Lidstrom Kronwall Ericsson Zetterberg Holmstrom Franzen Wow there's only six now. I miss the days when they had like 40. 1 Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted October 8, 2010 Bad decision any way you look at it... coming off of a very serious injury, visa set to expire, being offered a job with a team you know and like. Bad call. Too bad, he was really winning me over as a fan before his injury too. I do think Salei, if healthy, could be a much better and cheaper replacement anyway. Good luck Lilja. This. It just keeps looking worse and worse for Lilja. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted October 11, 2010 This. It just keeps looking worse and worse for Lilja. It's even much worse than we could have imagined. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
