DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings re-signed Andreas Lilja to a US$2.5-million, two-year contract Monday, a day before the 27-year-old defenceman would have become an unrestricted free agent.

Lilja, who turns 28 on July 13, had 12 points (2-10), a minus-2 rating and 93 penalty minutes in 79 regular-season games with the Wings last season.

He added one assist, a plus-3 rating and 16 penalty minutes in 12 playoff game for the Stanley Cup champion Red Wings.