Red Wings Sign Luke Glendening To Extension

Everyone's new favorite pest will be with the Wings for the next 3 years.

Graham Hathway

• 1 min read Front Page

The Red Wings made some minor news this morning when they announced that they have agreed to terms with soon-to-be free agent Luke Glendening.

The terms of the deal were not announced, and I'm refreshing Capgeek incessantly to see what his cap hit is going to be. Based on the Wings' history with these types of signings and looking at their current roster, I'd estimate he's going to come in around the $700K-750K range per year.

Glendening is a Grand Rapids native who was an unrestricted free agent out of the University of Michigan and got a call up to the Red Wings after injuries to every other player on the team. In 51 games with the Wings, he has 6 assists and no goals, but has developed a cult following as a player who gets under his opponent's skin and plays with a physical edge.

I don't really have a word to describe what he is, but "defensive specialist" is probably as high as he's going to get. Among all Red Wing forwards, only Drew Miller plays more per game on the PK, and he doesn't drive possession. However, he's got a role to play and he's been successful enough at it that he was rewarded with a new contract and likely spot as the team's 4th line center next year.

[UPDATE]