Red Wings Re-sign Lilja

The Red Wings have re-signed Andreas Lilja, hours before he would have become a free agent. It’s reportedly a two-year deal for a little more than $1 million per season.

I would not have been sad to see Lilja go but Ken Holland must want to keep him for the penalty kill. I still want to see Brad Stuart return but if he’s not signed by noon tomorrow, it looks like he won’t be with the Red Wings next season.

Without Stuart and with Lilja, Detroit’s defensive corps is as follows:

Lidstrom
Rafalski
Kronwall
Lilja
Lebda
Chelios (assuming he signs, as expected)
Meech
Quincey

So that’s last season’s fall lineup plus Quincey, who would have to clear waivers to go back to Grand Rapids. Leaves them in the same spot they were in last February if they don’t make a deal before then.