Flyers Sign Andreas Lilja to One-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed defenseman Andreas Lilja to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 52 games last season with the Anaheim Ducks, he had one goal and six assists for seven points and 28 penalty minutes. This is an okay depth signing for the Flyers, as Lilja will bring plenty of grit and toughness to their blueline. He has some stay-at-home defenseman qualities and is good on the penalty kill. Although, he does have a tendency to make defensive zone blunders and turn over the puck. He will likely play a fifth or sixth defensive role on the team next season.

Ducks Sign Defenseman Andreas Lilja to One-Year Deal

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that they have have signed defenseman Andreas Lilja to a one-year contract worth $600,000. He is not expected to play with the team right away while he works out some visa issues. Lilja had attended the San Jose Sharks' training camp on a tryout basis, but failed to make the team. In 20 games last season with the Detroit Red Wings, he had one goal and one assist. He also appeared in four games with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL on a conditioning stint after missing 55 NHL games with a concussion. Not a bad depth signing for the Ducks, as Lilja plays with lots of grit and toughness, has some stay-at-home defenseman qualities, and is good on the penalty kill despite having a tendency to make defensive zone blunders. He brings some much needed depth to Anaheim's blueline, which is currently without Toni Lydman and Andy Sutton because of injuries. Lilja should help stabilize the backend a little bit until the injured defensemen return.

Red Wings Waive Brad May

The Detroit Red Wings announced today that they have placed left wing Brad May on waivers. In 40 games this season with the Red Wings, he has one assist and 66 penalty minutes. He was signed as a free agent by the team on October 7. The Red Wings have waived May in order to free up some salary cap space to make room for Andreas Lilja, who is very close to returning to the team after recovering from a concussion that has kept him out of the line-up all season. If May clears waivers, he will likely be sent to the team's AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. The Red Wings are also rumored to be placing a player on long-term injury status to help clear salary cap space for Lilja, but who that player will be has yet to be determined. It was also rumored that the team was trying to trade Brett Lebda to open up a roster spot on defense for Lilja, but Lebda was not dealt before the 3 PM trade deadline for the Olympic roster freeze.