Tampa Bay's opening season forward depth took a hit on Wednesday as it was announced Luke Glendening will be limited at training camp due to an undisclosed injury and hopes he'll be ready to start the season. The 35-year-old center filled in Tampa Bay's bottom six admirably in 2023-24, with 10 goals, 11 points, 39 PIMs and 57 SOG in 81 games played.
Glendening is expected to dress on line four for Game 1 but is still considered a game-time decision on Sunday. The 34-year-old veteran reached double-digit goals (10) for the first time since 2018-19 this season.
Glendening did not play in Tampa Bay's season finale due to an undisclosed injury and his status is up in the air for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 34-year-old Glendening scored 11 points (10G / 1A) in 81 games this season.
Glendening will draw out of the Lightning lineup on Wednesday as Tampa Bay opts to give him the night off ahead of their playoff run. Anthony Cirelli and Victor Hedman will join him in the press box tonight
Glendening had three goals, three assists, 65 SOG, 50 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus through 70 games with Dallas in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year contract worth $1.6 million ($800K AAV). The 34-year-old centre will be joining his third NHL team with Tampa Bay and brings 706 career NHL games played and 148 career points (69G/79A).
Glendening was a healthy scratch for the Stars' previous game but will draw back into the lineup as he replaces Ty Dellandrea on Dallas' fourth line. The 34-year-old has a goal, six SOG, two PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 11 games so far in the playoffs.
Glendening has been out since February 17th due to a lower-body injury and was placed on the injured reserve Wednesday retroactively to that date. The 33-year-old had two goals, two assists,49 SOG, 44 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus through 56 games prior to the injury.
Glendening suffered a lower-body injury in Game 6 on a hit from Nikita Zadorov and will be a game-time decision for Game 7.
Adding Glendening, Jamie Benn and Ryan Suter to the COVID-19 reserve list brings the total to 11 Stars currently in protocol. It seems highly unlikely that Sunday's game in Arizona will be played.
Glendening left Sunday's game in Florida and will miss tonight's rematch. With Glendening out, Anthony Mantha (healthy scratch) should be back in.
Glendening was forced to leave Wednesday’s game in Ottawa with a hand injury and is expected to miss at least two weeks. Glendening was previously skating on the second line, so the Red Wings will shuffle their lines up for Friday’s game with Glendening sidelined.
