Red Wings Sign MacLean and Lilja

[Fletch]

DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland today announced that the club has signed defensemen Andreas Lilja (an-DRAY-uhs LIHL-yuh) and center Don MacLean to one-year contracts.

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

Lilja (30, 6-3, 228) was drafted in the second round (54th overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. He played three seasons for LA before being traded to Florida in November of 2002 and was signed as a free agent by Nashville in July of 2004. In 180 career NHL games, Lilja has eight goals and 19 assists for 27 points and 186 penalty minutes.

MacLean (28, 6-2, 199) was drafted in the second round (33rd overall) in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by Los Angeles. He was traded to Toronto in February of 2000 and singed by Columbus as a free agent in September of 2002. MacLean has appeared in 29 NHL contests, tallying six goals and three assists for nine points. He led the American Hockey League in assists and points while playing for St. John's in 2001-02.

[Humpzilla]

"Lilja brings NHL experience along with the size and toughness we needed on our blueline,"

Wow, now that's a ****ing joke! Maybe Holland is mistaking Lilja with Peter Worrell's version of Andreas Lilja...

[Dirk]

All i gotta say is im not suprised... Holland is a pu$$y, I don't know why he hates fighting and toughness, but this guy is a pu$$y...look at his face haha he looks like he is always scared...PU$$Y

As long as he's GM, they'll never have a fighter...

[votingbooth_42]

Maybe Bootland and Fischer will play this year's tag team enforcer duo....as ridiculous as that sounds it'd be fun to watch I think.

[votingbooth_42]

(just trying to shed a little light on the league's *******t team)

[Kaikkonen]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

Wow, now that's a ****ing joke! Maybe Holland is mistaking Lilja with Peter Worrell's version of Andreas Lilja...

Lilja=Useless

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Jamie Pushor European Version.

[Fotiu]

Lilja is a good d-man...

[BM24]

Does anybody remember when Holland signed Hatcher and claimed "who is going to mess with us with him on our blueline?"

[Jaw Breaker]

and the euro obsession continues...

[PinoyRon51]

Lilja has a big shot that he doesn't use enough. He was second to bouwmeester in the Panthers hardest shot comp.

[Hatcher#2]

Originally Posted by PinoyRon51

Lilja has a big shot that he doesn't use enough. He was second to bouwmeester in the Panthers hardest shot comp.

Can you tell me anything about him, does he hit, clear the crease and can he skate.

[Fotiu]

Originally Posted by Hatcher#2

Can you tell me anything about him, does he hit, clear the crease and can he skate.

He is tough for being a swede, but I suppose he can not live up to the standards of this board.
Has fought Godard,Corson and Jovanovski and lost.

[Jaw Breaker]

Originally Posted by Fotiu

He is tough for being a swede, but I suppose he can not live up to the standards of this board.
Has fought Godard,Corson and Jovanovski and lost.

I would be ok with Lilja if this team already had some toughness, thats the problem here...its not really with Lilja. Then toss in Holland's comments about this being the toughness the Wings needed, and it makes us pissed even more.