Former UM Captain Luke Glendening Signs 3 Year Contract with Red Wings
Congrats to this former captain of UM's hockey team; just penned a 3 year deal with the Wings. He had been on a one year two way (minors/NHL) contract.
If you are not a Red Wings fan he was called up due to the rash of injuries to the team and has installed himself in as a major pest who gets significant penalty kill minutes, to the point he was making it hard to send him back down as the Red Wings get healthier. No goals yet but has a history of scoring in the minors/college. Was a major part of the Grand Rapids run to the AHL championship at the end of last year. Exactly the type of guy you need for a playoff run.
Story here.
Some people are bitching about this because he hasn't scored. These people do not know hockey. Scoring isn't his job.
Yep, he can be a Draper like player for 10 years if he continues to grow ... Drapes didn't score much early either but was a massive pest on the PK and eventully had some years of 15-20 goals as he got older. Or on bottom end he is a Maltby type player. This is the type of guy that makes your life difficult in the playoffs.
Still doesn't change the enormous contributions he's made in every other part of his game, and if you've been watching any of him playing, you'd know too he could easily have a handful of goals by now with some of his chances.
He's the kind of guy who's having trouble potting his first goal, but as soon as he gets it, it could give him the confidence edge to start putting a lot of them in.
According to hockey-reference.com
- Since 1917, only 48 players have ever played greater than 51 games and finished a season with 0 goals. (5 other guys this year, including Ville Leino - an ex wing)
- Of those 48, only 6 all time have had more shots on goal than Luke Glendening.
Sure he brings other things to the table, but I think it's understandable why someone would get hung up on this.
Even Osgood got one in his career. This is just a horrible performance by him. Trade for Luongo!
Fantastic! The Red Wings are the only pro team I even remotely consider liking. Hope to see him do well in the NHL.
I don't get why people are panning this signing. We Wings fans have been bitching about having old, broken down bodies taking up spots on the roster, but when we sign a young gun role player for 3 years, we still bitch about it.
This. This x 1000. I know it has been mentioned above, but he is going to get his first goal and move past this zero goals thing which is surely more mental at this point. Utlimately, his total production doesn't matter much at all. He is GREAT on the powerplay and has been effective in his first NHL season of shutting down an opponent's top 1-2 lines. If that remains consistent that allows the Wings top or 2nd line to slot themselves against opponents 2-4 lines. Also, he is EXACTLY the kind of player you do not want to play against in a playoff series. One game against him and oppponents become frustrated enough, just imagine how that will compound itself in games 4, 5, 6, etc. At this cap hit, I will take this signing all day every day.
I'm happy about this. Proud of the way he's worked himself into the lineup and the way he's played. It's nice having a Wolverine on the Wings.
Probably cause he doesn't?
Of all the Wings who've taken at least 100 faceoffs, he's at the bottom of the list. Only above Helm and Legwand
First NHL goal! Quiet the haters!