The New Jersey Devils saw an old friend when they took on the New York Rangers last Thursday. Justin Dowling was on the roster and in the game after signing with them a couple of years ago. Dowling has been a decent depth player who can easily go up and down from the Rangers to the Hartford Wolf Pack despite having to go through waivers.
The Devils had Dowling on the roster in 2023-24 and 2024-25. He actually played 52 games for the Devils in his second season there, putting up seven points as that team was destroyed by injuries.
As the Devils look to establish depth at the center position, they moved away from Dowling and looked to add other players. The Rangers added Dowling, and most Devils fans celebrated the signing. It was a sign of the Rangers taking on a player the Devils had no use for.
In two years, Dowling has only played in five games, but with Joe Velano out for an extended period, the Rangers seem to have no choice but to keep playing him.
That is, unless they go back to the well for another former Devils center. That seems to be the direction in which they are going.
The Rangers have signed forward Luke Glendening to a professional tryout agreement (PTO).
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) October 19, 2026
Luke Glendening joins the Rangers, sticking in the Metropolitan Division
The Devils brought Luke Glendening in on a professional tryout last season, and he stood out in the preseason, earning himself a new contract. It did not work out as anyone hoped, and the Devils' fourth line sank.
The Devils eventually put Glendening on waivers, and he was claimed by the Philadelphia Flyers. He actually got to play in the playoffs.
Now, with very few options to play center, the Rangers are getting desperate to have someone who can play the position. It’s just a PTO, so the Rangers can get out of this without any pain, but to get him into a game, they have to sign him to a deal.
Glendening is a veteran who can bring experience and leadership to the lineup. The Rangers are playing incredibly well. They are at the top of the Metropolitan Division with the Carolina Hurricanes, and they don’t want to lose that momentum because of injuries.
Devils fans aren’t going to worry too much about this signing, just as they didn’t care too much about Dowling. It does show the position the Rangers are in, and the depth that Sunny Mehta prioritized will work out in the end.
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