Source: Lilja reaches out to Penguins; Team sticking with Lovejoy, Engelland for now

With word buzzing around the league that the Penguins are lukewarm about their 6th and 7th defensemen, the agent for veteran defenseman Andreas Lilja reached out again to Penguins GM Ray Shero tonight, Inside Pittsburgh Sports has learned.

A team source close to the situation tells Inside Pittsburgh Sports that Lilja’s camp has been in contact with Pittsburgh over the past 72 hours and Pens GM Ray Shero informed Lilja’s agent Todd Diamond this evening that they {Pittsburgh} are going to start the season with Lovejoy and Engelland and see how they fare first before exploring options to add a veteran defenseman.

The Penguins bizarre roster moves this evening have nothing to do with any potential “moves” being in the works regarding a 6th or 7th defenseman.

One NHL evaluator who has concerns about the Penguins 6th and 7th defensemen believes Lilja would be a perfect fit.

“He would give them good balance and a stay-at-home guy to match with each puck mover, ” the Eastern Conference evaluator on the condition of anonymity told Inside Pittsburgh Sports.

Lija, 35, was unable to reach terms with the San Jose Sharks on a professional tryout but is still looking to stay in the NHL. He is a former Stanley Cup Champion with the Detroit Red Wings.

Pittsburgh is believed to be at the top of his wishlist and indications are Pittsburgh hasn’t ruled him out completely if Engelland or Lovejoy falter within the next couple weeks.