Career
He previously played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League (National Hockey League) for the Los Angeles Kings, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, and Philadelphia Flyers. Lilja was drafted in the 2nd round, 54th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2000 National Hockey League Entry Draft. During the 2002-2003 National Hockey League season, Lilja was traded to the Florida Panthers where he played for the remainder of the season.
In the summer of 2004, he was signed by the Nashville Predators, but never played for them because of the National Hockey League lockout, during which he played for Mora IK and the Malmö IF Redhawks of Elitserien, as well as The Human Context Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss National League A. Once the lockout ended, he was signed to a one-year deal by the Detroit Red Wings.
After playing in all 82 regular season games for the Red Wings in the 2005-2006 National Hockey League season, he was re-signed by the team to a two-year deal in the summer of 2006. Lilja was re-signed again to another two-year deal in the summer of 2008.
He is also one of 9 native Swedes who played for the team at that time. On October 10, 2010, after being released from a tryout with the San Jose Sharks, Lilja signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks.
Lilja signed a two-year, $1.475 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 1, 2011.
On April 6, 2013, Lilja signed a two-year contract with Rögle BK which begins with the 2013-2014 season.