Wings Sign Two for Added Depth

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland announced the signing of two depth players on Wednesday, as the Wings came to terms with veteran defenseman Andreas Lilja and center Don MacLean.

Lilja spent the 2003-04 season with the Florida Panthers and signed as a free agent with the Nashville Predators in the summer of 2004. With the cancellation of the 2004-05 season, he never played a game for the Predators, instead splitting his time in Europe between Sweden’s Mora IK and Switzerland’s Ambri-Piotta.

In 180 NHL games with Florida and the Los Angeles Kings, Lilja has scored 8 goals and 19 assists, adding 186 penalty minutes.

“Lilja brings NHL experience along with the size and toughness we needed on our blueline,” said Holland.

MacLean has spent most of his career in the American Hockey League after being drafted 33rd overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by Los Angeles. He played 22 games for the Kings in 1997-98 and didn’t return to the NHL until 2000-01, when he played three games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He appeared in three playoff games with Toronto the following season and four regular season contests with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2003-04.

“MacLean gives us depth on offense and will have a chance to compete in training camp. We’re happy to have both players signed and look forward to seeing them in the Red Wings’ jersey,” Holland stated.

Both players signed one year deals. As per club policy, financial terms were not released.