The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Luke Glendening to a one-year deal worth $775,000. Glendening earned his way on the team following his professional tryout (PTO) with the team during training camp.
Luke Glendening signed to a one year contract worth $775k
To make the cap work the Devils Lenni Hameenaho and Shane Lachance to Utica (AHL). #njdevils
— TheDevilsNation (@DevilsNationX) October 7, 2025
The Devils had been looking for depth down the middle, and they found it in the form of Luke Glendening. He has slotted nicely on the fourth line with Paul Cotter on the left side and Arseniy Gritsyuk on the right side. The Devils’ President and General Manager has been preaching about not having enough centers. You knew the minute the Devils invited Glendening to training camp on a PTO, there was a good chance he was making the team.
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The veteran forward spent the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, leading all forwards with a faceoff winning percentage of 57 percent. There weren’t many others on the Devils last season that could win a faceoff outside of Nico Hischier and Erik Haula. Winning faceoffs is crucial for teams to win games, whether it is in the defensive zone or the offensive zone, to either initiate the power play or secure the game in the third period.
Glendening played in six preseason games for the Devils, winning 54 percent of his draws. The key here for New Jersey is that they have another right-handed shot that can take a faceoff. He could turn into the Devils version of Matt Cullen. Remember how vital Cullen was in the Pittsburgh Penguins ‘ back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships, winning significant draws to allow the Penguins to gain possession. If you are going to name an essential element of hockey, it is winning faceoffs.
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In 864 regular-season games, Luke Glendening has recorded 166 points (83 goals and 83 assists) with the Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Dallas Stars. He has 10 points (six goals and four assists) in 50 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Fitzgerald adds another player to the locker room with playoff experience, as Glendening has made the playoffs in four consecutive seasons.
The Devils announced their roster.
Johnathan Kovacevic and Stefan Noesen as Injured, Non-rostered
Seamus Casey and Marc McLaughlin listed on IR
Remember Luke Glendening is expected to get a contract per HC Sheldon Keefe
Now the math has to math #njdevils https://t.co/QyfEfD3Gkh
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) October 6, 2025
Reports coming out of training camp on Monday, October 6th, indicate that Glendening was set to receive a contract, according to head coach Sheldon Keefe. However, the Devils needed to clear cap space to make it happen. Even before submitting their roster ahead of the 5 pm deadline, New Jersey traded Kurtis MacDermid and his $1.15 million salary to the Ottawa Senators for Zach MacEwen and his $775,00 salary.
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That move allowed the Devils to fit Luke Hughes and his new $9 million AAV under the $95.5 million salary cap. MacEwen was placed on waivers and sent to Utica. In addition, the Devils announced that Johnathan Kovacevic and Stefan Noesen were listed as injured non-rostered players. In contrast, Seamus Casey and Marc McLaughlin are listed on the IR to begin the season.
Then, to make the Glendening signing work, New Jersey assigned forwards Lenni Hameenaho and Shane Lachance to the Devils’ AHL affiliate Utica.
The Devils found a way to keep a PTO player who can be utilized in many situations as they look to make a deep run this season.
