Lilja signs two-year deal with Wings

Bill Roose, Detroit Red Wings

DETROIT — Defenseman Andreas Lilja, who has spent the last three seasons in a Red Wings’ uniform, will be with the organization for at least another two seasons. The seven-year veteran reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension on Monday with the Red Wings, just hours before he could have tested his value in the free agency market, which begins Tuesday at 12 p.m. EDT.

Lilja, who turns 33 on July 13, has scored four goals with 28 assists in 218 regular-seasons with the Wings. Prior to his arrival in Detroit, Lilja spent four seasons with Los Angeles and Florida.

Another off-season priority for the Wings is to sign prospective unrestricted free agent Brad Stuart, who was acquired by the Wings in a February trade with the Kings. With Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall, Brett Lebda, Jonathan Ericsson, Derek Meech and Kyle Quincey all under contract, the Wings could have 10 defensemen in training camp if they can sign Stuart and re-sign veteran Chris Chelios.

Source: Red Wings Official Website