PHILADELPHIA – Luke Glendening might not show up most nights on the stats sheet but the contributions he makes are nothing short of immeasurable.
He grinds it out game after game on the Flyers’ fourth line to put the clamps on opponents’ top scorers.
In addition, he serves as a great mentor to some of the Flyers’ younger players.
After Monday’s practice at Xfinity Mobile Arena, coach Rick Tocchet was asked about why Glendening is so valuable to a team battling to make the playoffs after a five-year absence.
“Luke is as solid a veteran character guy there is,” Tocchet said. “He just gets it done, whatever he’s asked to do. Never complains. He’s been a great addition. He works out hard. He’s a great mentor for the young guys. He’s been a pleasure.”
Asked what advice Glendening might have for some of the younger Flyers in this crucial period, the centerman was quick to answer.
“I think most importantly, just enjoy it,” he said. “You know you have to embrace the challenge. You grind through the tough parts of the season to enjoy these.
“I think it’s just relying on the structure, the things you know well. And just keep playing the same way.”
>Keeping it loose
Every NHL locker room needs a couple “chirpers” who speak up, tell jokes and keep things loose.
Travis Konecny has been that guy for a number of years and now he’s been joined by Trevor Zegras. That just doubles the fun.
“Trevor, he’s a chirper,” Tocchet said. “All of a sudden it’s a big game, do I want him to be quiet? No, I want him to be who he is. I think that’s an important trait to have in a locker room.
“I think they are really good in the room. Travis keeps guys loose. It’s important to have those guys. Some guys are a little more serious. You’re looking for the older guys to kind of take the kids under their wing.”
>Couturier’s take
Captain Sean Couturier is one of the few Flyers who has extensive playoff experience. He talked about what this current team has to do to succeed heading into the crucial final stretch.
“We still have five big games left,” said Couturier one day after the Flyers moved into third place in the Metropolitan Division standings. “Approach it one game at a time.
“We’ve been trying to stick to what we’ve been trying to build all year. I think we’ve playing good, everyone’s been buying in. It’s been a lot of fun winning. We have to keep going.”
Couturier, who’s been going back and fourth with Glendening at center on the fourth line, has been part of an effective checking unit.
“We don’t have that really big superstar name (on the roster),” Couturier said. “We need everyone to be ready every night. It can bedifferent guys on different nights so our depth has been good as of late.”
Couturier was on the Flyers team the last time they made the playoffs in 2020. He knows how things operate.
“We’re obviously excited to be in this position,” he said. “But at the same time we can’t focus too much on the standings. Just worry about ourselves. That’s just showing up every night and trying to get two points.”
>Short shots
The Flyers hope to take advantage of their fine road record when they begin a three-game road trip on Tuesday night in New Jersey. The Devils looked like a strong contender at the beginning of the season but a lengthy injury to their best player, Jack Hughes (the Olympic hero) kind of put an end to any postseason aspirations. . .Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen had the day off for maintenance. . .Alex Bump was a recent scratch from the lineup but Tocchet said he will be in the lineup against the Devils. Bump might have to be on the ice against Devils star Hughes but Tocchet isn’t concerned. “It will be a great learning experience,” the coach predicted.
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