According to Khan Kronwall will be back in the lineup tomorrow.
And, it seems that Mickey wasn’t as drunk as we thought during the Kings game, as Lilja has gone 13 days without a headache from his concussion (he needs to go 14 in order to be cleared by doctors). Obviously this doesn’t mean he’ll be back right away, but it’s still huge news regarding his career and the state of the Red Wings’ defensive lineup. I am thrilled to hear that he’s finally getting better.
Defenseman Andreas Lilja said he has been headache-free for 13 days and that he was told by doctors needs to be symptom-free for 14 days before being cleared. Unless he has a setback in the next day or two, he will meet with team officials this week and could return from a concussion that has kept him out since Feb. 28 of last season.
“My plan from the start was to go 14 days without headaches and I’m hitting 13 today, so we’ll see what happens,” Lilja said. “I’ll stick to that plan and negotiate after that.’’
By negotiate, he meant discuss with doctors and management when he should be activated.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. I have to stick to the 14-day plan first,” Lilja said. “It feels pretty good.’’
He said he doesn’t know when he’ll play.
“It’ll be up to the coach,” Lilja said. “I feel pretty ready, so we’ll see.’’
Not to take anything away from Kronwall’s imminent return because that’s also really important, but Lilja being able to resume his career is huge, to me. I know a lot of people don’t care for him and can’t let go of that turnover in the 2007 playoffs, but he was turning to a great stay at home defenseman and PK specialist before he got hurt. Besides, look at me with a straight face and tell me that you’d rather see Meech and Lebda out there over Lilja. Try me.
Finally, good news.