Red Wings D Lilja undergoes appendectomy

Oct 21, 2008 - 8:46 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Detroit Red Wings defenseman Andreas Lilja underwent a laproscopic appendectomy on Tuesday.

Lilja, who is scoreless in five games this season, could return as early as Friday when the Red Wings host the Atlanta Thrashers.

Detroit also assigned center Darren Helm to Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League.

The 21-year-old Helm, who played a crucial role in the Red Wings' Stanley Cup run last season, was scoreless in two games during his brief call-up.