NHL
Rangers Bring in Luke Glendening on a Tryout With Veleno Sidelined
The veteran center joins New York on a professional tryout as the Rangers look for depth during Joe Veleno’s recovery.
The New York Rangers signed Luke Glendening to a professional tryout agreement Monday, adding another option at center while Joe Veleno recovers from a lower-body injury.
Glendening took part in his first Rangers practice Monday. Coach Mike Sullivan told The Hockey News that New York brought him in to assess whether he could help address its depth at center. Sullivan pointed to the veteran’s penalty killing and work in the faceoff circle as strengths that have sustained his NHL career.
The tryout does not make Glendening eligible to appear in a regular-season game. He can practice with the Rangers, but would need an NHL contract to play. New York therefore has an evaluation to make before the move becomes an addition to its game lineup.
Glendening also attended Tampa Bay’s training camp on a tryout this fall without earning a contract. He split last season between New Jersey and Philadelphia, totaling nine points in 70 regular-season games. Veleno is expected to miss at least three months, leaving the Rangers with a longer-term opening to consider.