Detroit Red Wings: 4 pending UFA’s to consider re-signing this offseason
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Red Wings need to bring back Luke Glendening.
I am fascinated that Luke Glendening actually finished another season with the Detroit Red Wings amid another season of trade rumors leading up to the deadline.
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We’re not guaranteed much in life but death, taxes, and Glendening being heavily rumored to be on the move before the NHL Trade Deadline expires. The funny thing is, he has yet to be dealt.
There are two reasons. Both Ken Holland and Yzerman likely value Glendening, more than teams are willing to part with to secure his services. The other reason may just be there isn’t as rich of a market for a fourth-line checking center as we’ve been led to believe. Has Glendening garnered trade interest? Absolutely. But how much is a team willing to give up? I bet Holland and Yzerman both hoped to receive a second or third-round pick in exchange for Glendening, but it’s difficult to give up that type of draft capital for a player with such a limited skill-set.
Glendening is a player that still has a place on most NHL teams as a fourth-line center that has the ability to slide over to the wing after winning the draw if he’s asked. Glendening is a valuable penalty killer and must be a leader in the locker room, knowing he regularly wears an ‘A’ for the Red Wings.
The 32-year old pending unrestricted free agent won’t record many points but can be a valuable asset playing alongside a player like Adam Erne and Givoni Smith on the teams’ fourth line.
Glendening recorded 15 points in 54 games this past season, scoring six goals, so he can chip in with 20 points or so in a full season. That, along with winning a stellar 61% of his faceoff attempts, should lead to a new deal in Detroit.
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I expect the former Michigan Wolverine to command an annual salary around $2.5-$3-million this offseason. Detroit has plenty of cap space and won’t balk at that price.