Rangers Sign Luke Glendening to Tryout Deal

The veteran center joins New York on a professional tryout agreement to provide needed depth.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Hockey

Rangers Sign Luke Glendening to Tryout Deal

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The New York Rangers have signed veteran forward Luke Glendening to a professional tryout agreement. This move comes as the team looks to address depth issues at the center position.

Why it matters

The organization is seeking reinforcements following an injury to Joe Veleno, who is expected to be sidelined for up to three-and-a-half months. Glendening provides immediate veteran experience while the team evaluates its roster options.

Luke Glendening brings experience from over 930 career NHL games to the Rangers organization. He maintained a 52.9% faceoff win percentage during his most recent season.

The players

Luke Glendening

He is an experienced NHL forward who has played in more than 930 career games.

Joe Veleno

He is a center currently expected to miss three to three-and-a-half months due to a lower-body injury.

James Reimer

He is a professional goaltender who recently signed an AHL professional tryout agreement with the Rangers.

Dylan Larkin

He is a notable NHL player who carries an annual salary cap hit of $8.7 million.

The details

Glendening must sign a formal NHL contract before he is eligible to appear in any official games. His addition follows the team signing goalie James Reimer to an AHL professional tryout agreement last week.

Last week: The Rangers signed James Reimer to an AHL professional tryout.
Monday, October 19, 2026: The New York Rangers signed Luke Glendening to a professional tryout agreement.

Season Trajectory

The use of professional tryout agreements allows the team to manage roster depth without immediate long-term salary cap commitments. This strategy helps the organization maintain competitive balance as they navigate the remainder of the season.

Glendening's presence provides the team with a reliable faceoff option to fill the void left by injured players. His transition to the active roster will depend on his ability to secure a standard contract before the upcoming stretch of games.

The takeaway

Veteran depth signings are a common mechanism for teams to maintain stability during injury-prone periods of the season. Fans should monitor whether these tryouts translate into standard contracts before the team's upcoming schedule.