The Dallas Stars have signed veteran unrestricted free agent forward Luke Glendening. The 31-year-old skater was a solid contributor for Detroit in 2020-21, but as they continue their rebuild, have little incentive to keep him. Glendening and the Stars agree on a two-year deal worth $3 million, or $1.5 million AAV.
Hearing Luke Glendening will be joining the Dallas Stars on a two-year deal at $1.5 million AAV. #GoStars@DFOHockey @Sportsnet
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 28, 2021
Stars Sign Luke Glendening
It was a good bounce-back season for the experienced Glendening. He put up six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 54 games. That total is much better to what he posted in 2019-20 year over 60 games. His 38.0 percent Corsi For and -10.1 relative Corsi are obviously below-average, but the team also deploys him in 74.1 percent defensive zone starts. It’s hard to have good possession numbers when you both play on Detroit and often at a disadvantage. Moving to a new lineup could be excellent as he approaches free agency after this season.
The Red Wings originally signed Glendening as an undrafted free agent after a productive career at the University of Michigan. The 5’11” skater has collected 54 goals and 120 points in 534 games along with 1055 hits and 530 blocks. He’s been good enough in a bottom-six role to earn votes for the Selke Award twice and is the team’s alternate captain. Glendening has definitely maximized his ability considering his lack of draft pedigree.
What This Means For The Future
This move is definitely an improvement for the former Wolverine. He will still be a bottom-six skater who is used on the penalty-kill, but those are still valuable commodities. At the very least, he doesn’t actively hurt a team in most situations and can be rotated as healthy dictates before the end of the season.
Main Photo:
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 09: Detroit Red Wings Right Wing Luke Glendening (41) in action during the NHL hockey game between St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings on December 9, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
