New Ranger Luke Glendening went from playing Barbies with his daughters to playing in NHL

OTTAWA — For new Rangers forward Luke Glendening, the start to this season has been a journey. Needing a professional tryout to stick around the NHL for the second straight October, Glendening skated with the Lightning’s third group in training camp that mostly featured prospects and AHL-bound players.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.The 37-year-old veteran of 934 games said skating with the youngsters was fun, noting that it “reinvigorated” him to see them experience their first NHL camps amid his 14th. Glendening made it sound like the PTO with the Lightning was more of a favor.

He had been working out in Tampa Bay all summer, and the organization knew he intended to continue playing in the NHL, so head coach Jon Cooper told him they had an extra spot. When he was released at the end of September, the Michigan native continued training in the Sunshine State while he waited for his next opportunity. “I went from playing dress-up and Barbies to playing in the National Hockey League,” Glendening said before making his Rangers debut in Saturday’s loss to the Senators, referring to the time spent with daughters Riggsy, 3, and Ada Grace, 1.“So it’s a wild ride.” Saturday night’s matchup was really the first game in which Glendening was eligible to play. The Blueshirts sent Justin Dowling, who filled in at fourth-line center the previous four games, back to Hartford after practice Friday.

Glendening slotted into that spot Saturday after turning his midseason PTO into a one-year, $850,000 deal (league minimum) just before the Rangers game in Toronto on Thursday. Glendening has now played for six teams over his NHL career. “These guys have been rolling along pretty well,” he said.“I’m not a big piece, I’m just trying to fit in and do what I’m asked to do.

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