Hip surgery for Flyers veteran Lilja adds to Philadelphia's problems on defence

PHILADELPHIA - Flyers defenceman Andreas Lilja had left hip surgery last month, and is expected back in late October or early November.

Lilja, 37, had six assists and was a plus-9 last season, his first in Philadelphia. He joins a list of problems on the blue line for the Flyers, who lost out on signing defenceman Shea Weber, when their contract offer for the All-Star was matched by Nashville.

Philadelphia defenceman Andrej Meszaros is out with an Achilles problem, and captain Chris Pronger's future is uncertain after playing just 13 games last season. What's more, defenceman Matt Carle left the Flyers to sign with Tampa Bay in free agency.

The Flyers allowed 232 goals last season, and have been eliminated in the second round the past two seasons.