Detroit Red Wings: Filling the Zetterberg Void

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 24: Henrik Zetterberg #40 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Air Canada Centre on March 24, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 24: Henrik Zetterberg #40 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Air Canada Centre on March 24, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Detroit Red Wings
(Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

Luke Glendening even with Henrik Zetterberg on the roster, continues to be the most reliable face-off man on the club.

Glendening a trade chip due to his team friendly 1.80 million per season cap hit.  Detroit minus Henrik Zetterberg may decide Glendening is no longer expendable in favor of keeping him as their fourth line center.

Glendening was the only natural center on the Detroit Red Wings to achieve above a 50% success rate in the dot.  Glendening has been north of 50% four straight seasons.  Last season Luke was 58% successful winning draws.

If Ken Holland decides to keep Glendening around, expect Luke to continue to take defensive zone face-offs for the Wings on a regular basis.  Last season for the second straight season he started 66% of his shifts, taking a draw in the defensive zone.

Glendening while he is in Motown, will continue to take big faceoffs and as Detroit clears their own zone, heading up the ice Luke will scamper to the bench in favor of a better offensive player.

Glendening may find himself taking offensive zone face-offs which Zetterberg would have usually taken so that Detroit can gain possession late in games and head to the front of the net.

If Detroit finds a deal that suits their wants and needs for Glendening, Darren Helm moves merely into that role, and Martin Frk or Evgeny Svechnikov will be a regular on the fourth line.