Wings Quiet At Deadline, But Still Got A Difference Maker

By Adam W Parks

The NHL trade deadline came and went and the Wings didn't do much. However, George Malik, a fellow Wings blogger, believes that the return of Andreas Lilja is as good of a deadline acquisition as Ken Holland and the Red Wings could have made. I agree.

I have had several conversations in regards to Lilja: whether or not he should come back, whether or not the Wings are better off without him. Many have said they never thought he was that good in the first place, citing turnover problems from previous playoffs and a lack of physical play despite his size (6' 3", 228).

I was in complete agreement a few seasons ago. I might have actually been waving the CUT LILJA banner, specifically in 2007 when he was coughing up pucks like phlegm from a freshman after hitting a steamroller. But between then and when Nashville's Shea Weber sent the big boy spinning into eleven months of concussion induced headaches on February 28, 2009, Lilja had been gearing up his game and becoming a very respectable defender.

Seriously. In the 60 games last season prior to his concussion, Lilja was easily one of the Wings top four blue liners. He posted an impressive +13 rating that tied with Henrik Zetterberg's regular season total and ranked him third amongst Detroit defensemen (Nicklas Lidstrom +31, Brian Rafalski +17, Brett Lebda +9, Niklas Kronwall +2). Like Jiri Fischer, Lilja was lost right when he was hitting his stride.

Lilja is one of those stay-at-home, physical, responsible, dependable defenders that the Wings need right now. His return could be an absolute boon to this team. And Holland didn't have to give up anything worthwhile for him! The bum Ville Leino was traded away, Brad May cleared waivers and is in Grand Rapids, and Kirk Maltby announced he would have shoulder surgery, placing him on long term injury reserve.

Here's a fishing simile for you: Lilja's return is like casting for mackerel, and having a big fat tuna follow one all the way into your boat. As much as I like Derek Meech, and appreciate Brett Lebda, neither have the size and experience to match the big Swede.

At 34 Lilja is a veteran defender with nine NHL seasons under his belt with the Kings, Panthers, and this being his fifth in Detroit. He already understands Detroit's system, is familiar with the coaching staff, and knows all the players around him. As a big, physical, and punishing presence, he can only be an asset to the development of the slumpy Jonathan Ericsson.

Barring any setbacks, Lilja will bring a great wealth of energy, enthusiasm, and freshness to a Wings team that has been in desperate need of such intangibles all season long. Make no mistake, Lilja could be a huge factor in Detroit's push for the playoffs.

“His positive attitude is something that everyone’s kind of looked up to. I’m so happy for him to be able to play again. We’re a better team with him in the lineup. He’s huge on the (penalty-kill), very solid in our own end. He brings something to the table that we hadn’t really had this year." ~ Niklas Kronwall.

“(Lilja) Gives us another big body who’ll have a little bit more of a physical presence, block shots, veteran guy with experience. It can only help us coming down the stretch." ~ Brad Stuart.

"He's been a good player on our team, and he's been a big part of our penalty killing over the years. He gives us a big body that we can play against other team's bigger players, as well. I think he just makes us a solid unit of seven or eight defensemen who can play in the league." ~ Assistant Coach Paul MacLean.

"I look at our trade deadline acquisitions as being (Johan) Franzen, (Andreas) Lilja and (Niklas) Kronwall. I still believe we have a good team. I don't foresee us doing anything of any significance." ~ Ken Holland.

Lilja will keep playing his physical brand of hockey as long as the headaches do not return, but don't expect to see him drop the gloves anytime soon.

“I am not allowed to fight, I will try to stay out of that, but you never know," Lilja said. He continued, "If I stay away from playing physical, I might as well start playing bandy. Everybody plays physical. That's what I have to do."

Lilja had two registered hits, one blocked shot, and no giveaways in more than nine minutes of play on Monday in Colorado. Expect his playing time to increase tonight.

Peace.