Luke Glendening Understands, Willing to Fight for Playing Time

Luke Glendening, 25, understands that he needs to be “an all-around better player” to make it into the lineup going into the 2014 regular season.

Glendening played at the University of Michigan and graduated in the spring of 2012. He was a free agent pickup that the Red Wings gave a shot to going into the 2012-2013 season.

Although Glendening got a lot of playing time last year, playing in 56 games at the NHL level for the Wings, he is not ignorant to the fact that he needs to be at the top of his game in all facets to stay in the lineup consistently.

“I have to be more productive. You can’t stay in the lineup and score one goal a year,” Glendening said. “I want to help the team any way I can. I’m going to be battling for a spot all year this year.”

Players like Stephen Weiss, who barely saw any playing time due to a sports hernia last season, are looking to bounce back this year and compete with Glendening for the role he currently plays for the team.

“I just need to be an all-around better player, from skating to face-offs, to defense, to my offensive production,” Glendening said. “Try to work on my shot and try to work on things that I can control.”

Last season, Glendening had eight points through 56 regular season games with the Red Wings. His first and only goal of the regular season came against the Montreal Canadiens off of a pass from Justin Abdelkader.

Going into 2014-2015, from training camp, Glendening looks like he is ready to get the ball rolling this year. Increasing in speed, intelligence on ice and general fundamental skills to play at the next level have all been checked off of his summer to-do list.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8b64j1JFQs

Austin Goodman is the host of Octopi Hockeytown for Impact Sports