MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses Luke Glendening’s 2018-19 season possibilities this morning:
2018-19 outlook: Glendening has always been one of those role players that coaches covet – from Red Berenson at Michigan to Mike Babcock and Jeff Blashill in Detroit. His work ethic on and off the ice sets an example for others to follow.
Once again, expect Glendening to do the gritty things teams need from a grinder – block shots, lead the penalty kill, be abrasive, agitate opponents, be hard to play against. He’s developed into the team’s best faceoff man. He can play center or wing on the fourth line. It took him 52 games to score his first NHL goal; he’s scored 34 since in 310 games, a decent pace for a fourth-liner.
Babcock tried to acquire Glendening leading up to the 2018 trade deadline, but the Maple Leafs former general manager, Lou Lamoriello, wasn’t as interested, and the Red Wings weren’t inclined to part with him for a low draft pick.
I know many Redwings fans would enjoy seeing Glenny get traded or just off the team, but I think he brings much value to the Wings.
He is the best faceoff guy on the team. He scored 11 goals last season. Yes he was a minus 11, yadaydayda…..Comparably to Abby; had 13 goals more playing time and was also a minus 11 and gets paid more than 2 times that of Glenny. And he is Winger, not a centerman like Glenny whom has more responsibilities.
For those of you who do not think faceoff winning percentage is huge, as Stevie Y how important it is. The Wings lost the 93′ playoff series they should had won in game 7 to the Leafs. The wings won the first two games and should have rolled to the next level of the playoffs. But Pat Burns used Peter Zezel in just about every faceoff that he could after the game two loss. Yzerman afterwards during the interview said that is one of the major things that change the course of the series. Zezel was a very good FO player. Yzerman was one of the best at the time and got handled in that series by Zezel. Many said he cheated, but they all did and do in the faceoff circle.
My point being, for what Glenny makes and what he does for this team, I think he is paid appropriately and I would rather see others go that make more money and do less for this team.
I agree with that DamnDog about Glendening’s value. But I am not one to bash on Abby to make a point about any other player.
I like Abdelkader, Helm and Glendening. That is a solid 3rd line, maybe one of the best 4th lines in the league. We just need a coach to slot them properly. They can fill in on the top 2 lines as needed due to injuries, suspensions, slumps, etc.
I do not dislike our line-up or cap hits so much as our coach.
PM,
I wasn’t trying to bash Abby only use him as a cost/value comparison.
I am with you regarding Blash. I was high on him coming in and taking over for Babs. In my opinion, blash has followed to closely in Babs footsteps and hasn’t been his own man/coach. I think he lost some of instincts that he had while coaching down in GR because of that. I went to lots of games in GR and he is not the same coach. I understand it’s a different league in all that, but he is not as flexible with his philosophy’s since he has been with the Wings. Hopefully that changes this season even though it may be too late for him. We will see.
I am excited for the season even if the Wings don’t do well. It’s hockey and it’s the Redwings.
agree 100% w/ your assessment about blash losing his own identity.
he’s lost me. i’m not even rooting for him to pull through anymore. and this is one of the few instances where i think kenny’s loyalty could be argued to be a detriment to the progress of the team as several excellent replacements have been fired/hired by other teams…
additionally, i’ve never been a fan of bylsma either.
i like how the roster is evolving.
i like our prospect pool.
i like our vets and the assets they may provide at the trade deadline.
i have zero confidence in the direction of the coaching staff…
Zezel. I still am feeling some tushy sores from that series because of him. I don’t think that guy lost a face off……ever.
I don’t ever remember such faceoff dominance in the playoff series as with Zezel. I think Z was pretty good in the 2008 cup run and Stevie was always good, but damn Zezel was in the zone deep there.