John Ludvig - NHL News & Rumors

Struggling to make lineup Ludvig has played just five times over 21 games since the start of November after being scratched Saturday versus the Predators.

Impact The Avalanche have some flexibility with Keaton Middleton right now, and they've been juggling him up and down from the AHL rather than play Ludvig. The Avalanche claimed Ludvig off waivers from the Penguins before the start of the season, and he would need to clear waivers to be sent to AHL Colorado, which the team probably believes won't happen, so they've instead kept him as a healthy scratch. Ludvig has two helpers, nine shots on net, 16 hits and a minus-4 rating over eight contests this season.

DECEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Avalanche defenseman John Ludvig remains grateful to the Penguins The first time he played in an NHL game, John Ludvig was a big hit. Too literally. Making his NHL debut for the Pittsburgh Penguins last sea...

DECEMBER 10 • TRIBLIVE.COM

Gathers assist Ludvig notched an assist and two PIM in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Hurricanes.

Impact Ludvig was in the lineup over Calvin de Haan in this contest. While he earned his second assist over five games, Ludvig also saw a season-low 9:51 of ice time in the high-scoring contest, which suggests he didn't make a great impression to earn more playing time. The 24-year-old has added three shots on net, nine hits, three blocked shots and four PIM this season while spending a majority of the year in the press box so far.

NOVEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

First point with new team Ludvig produced an assist and three hits in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Sharks.

Impact The helper was Ludvig's first point in three appearances with the Avalanche. The 24-year-old defenseman has battled with Oliver Kylington and Calvin de Haan for a spot in the lineup, but that battle will be a little easier while Devon Toews (lower body) is out. Ludvig has added five hits, two blocked shots and two shots on net. When he's in the lineup, he'll likely be confined to a bottom-four role, giving him little fantasy upside.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Claimed by Colorado Ludvig was claimed off waivers by Colorado from Pittsburgh on Saturday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Impact Ludvig played 33 regular-season games with the Penguins in 2023-24, picking up three goals and a pair of assists. It was his first season in the NHL and he spent most of his time in the press box as he was a healthy scratch on 45 occasions. Ludvig was likely acquired as a depth defenseman by the Avalanche.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Penguins place Sam Poulin, John Ludvig on waivers; assign Owen Pickering, Tristan Broz to AHL The Penguins made a plethora of roster moves and whittled down their roster Friday, placing seven players on waivers and assigning four more...

OCTOBER 4 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Lands on waiver wire Ludvig was placed on waivers by the Penguins on Friday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Impact Ludvig featured in 33 NHL games for Pittsburgh last year and seemed to have a decent chance of making the Opening Night roster. Instead, the Czech blueliner will be headed for AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, assuming he goes unclaimed. Still, even with the demotion, Ludvig should be atop the team's list of potential call-ups should the need arise.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Ludvig (wrist) will be ready for the beginning of training camp, the team announced Tuesday.

Impact Ludvig accounted for three goals, five points, 47 PIM, 72 hits and 33 blocked shots in 33 regular-season appearances in 2023-24. He will compete for a depth spot on the blue line of the Penguins after undergoing wrist surgery in late April.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes wrist surgery Ludvig underwent wrist surgery April 24, the team announced Wednesday. He's expected to need four-to-six months to recover.

Impact Ludvig had three goals, five points, 47 PIM, 72 hits and 33 blocks in 33 contests with Pittsburgh during the 2023-24 campaign. If he ends up requiring the longer end of that timetable, then Ludvig would miss the start of 2024-25. If healthy, Ludvig might open the season as part of the Penguins' third pairing.

MAY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Finishes season in press box Ludvig spent the final nine games of the season as a healthy scratch.

Impact Ludvig was limited to a mere 33 games this year, notching three goals on 24 shots, two assists and 72 hits. Despite struggling to get into the lineup at the end of the campaign, the towering defenseman should continue to develop and should be a near-lock for the 23-man roster coming out of training camp in the fall.

APRIL 18 • ROTOWIRE

Set for healthy scratch Ludvig (illness) will serve as a healthy scratch against the Maple Leafs on Monday, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Ludvig has been dealing with an illness but seems to be struggling to break into the lineup even back to 100 percent. There are some questions regarding Ryan Shea's (not injury related) availability Monday, which could open the door for Ludvig to get back into the lineup.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Out of action Saturday Ludvig (illness) will miss his fourth straight game Saturday versus Tampa Bay, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Impact Ludvig is considered day-to-day at this time. He has three goals, five points, 72 hits and 33 blocked shots this season. Ryan Shea will play in place of Ludvig on the third unit against the Lightning.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Thursday Ludvig (illness) will miss Thursday's tilt versus Washington, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Impact This will be Ludvig's third game on the shelf. The defenseman has three goals, two assists, 72 hits and 33 blocked shots in his first NHL season. Ryan Shea will once again play in Ludvig's place on the third unit.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected to play Ludvig (illness) is not expected to be in the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Devils, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Vensel reports the Penguins are projected to use the same lineup that they had Monday versus the Rangers, which would mean a second straight absence for Ludvig. The 23-year-old defenseman was a game-time call, so it seems likely he'll be ready to play by Thursday's game versus the Capitals, though he's no lock to be in the lineup.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time call versus New Jersey Ludvig (illness) will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's matchup with the Devils, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

Impact Considering coach Mike Sullivan firmly ruled out Tristan Jarry, who is also dealing with an illness, there seems to be a chance Ludvig is healthy enough to play Tuesday. In 33 games this season, the 23-year-old Ludvig has generated just three goals and two assists but has delivered 72 hits and 33 blocks. If Ludvig does play, it would likely mean a return to the press box for Ryan Shea or Jack St. Ivany.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Out Monday Ludvig (illness) will not play Monday against the Rangers.

Impact Ludvig was a late scratch after exiting warmups prior to Monday's game. The 23-year-old has five points in 33 games this season. The Penguins will be back in action Tuesday against the Devils.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Two points vs. Sharks Ludvig tallied a goal and an assist in Thursday's 6-3 win over San Jose.

Impact Ludvig scored the eventual game-winner 2:38 into the third period, beating Magnus Chrona from the point, before adding an assist on a Rickard Rakell deflection later in the frame. It's the first career multi-point contest for the rookie defenseman, who had just one goal and two points through 26 games coming into Thursday. While his performance Thursday was encouraging, Ludvig isn't typically expected to contribute much offensively in a bottom-pairing role.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Available to return Tuesday Ludvig (upper body) will be available to return Tuesday against Winnipeg.

Impact Ludvig will be able to return Tuesday after missing the previous 11 games due to an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old has seen an average of 11:34 of ice time per game and has only recorded one assist in 19 games to go along with 37 hits and 23 blocked shots. Having the youngster back will give Pittsburgh some more depth at the defensive position.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from conditioning Ludvig (upper body) was recalled from his conditioning assignment with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday, per CapFriendly.

Impact Ludvig didn't play in the farm team's contest Saturday. The end of his conditioning assignment suggests he may be activated from long-term injured reserve ahead of Tuesday's game versus the Jets. Even when healthy, Ludvig shouldn't be expected to see more than a third-pairing role.

FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to AHL for conditioning Ludvig (upper body) was loaned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday for conditioning purposes.

Impact Ludvig, who hasn't played since Dec. 31 against the Islanders, will get some playing time at the minor-league level and could be back with Pittsburgh after the All-Star break. The 23-year-old defender has one assist, 12 shots on goal, 23 blocked shots and 37 hits in 19 NHL outings this campaign.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Practicing in regular jersey Ludvig (upper body) is taking part in practice Friday in a regular jersey, Penguins' studio host Dan Potash reports.

Impact Ludvig was injured Dec. 31 and is eligible to come off long-term injured reserve in time for Saturday's tilt versus Montreal. The defenseman has one assist, 37 hits and 23 blocked shots in 19 games. Should he not play Saturday, the Penguins don't play until Feb. 6 when they are home to Winnipeg.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing with team Ludvig (upper body) has begun skating but still hasn't taken part in practice, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports Wednesday.

Impact Ludvig is technically eligible to come off long-term injured reserve Saturday against Montreal but the fact that he isn't practicing yet doesn't bode well for his return versus the Habs. Before suffering his upper-body issue, the 23-year-old defenseman was stuck in a 14-game pointless streak and is unlikely to generate much in the way of offensive production even once cleared to play.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

On long-term injured reserve Ludvig (undisclosed) was put on long-term injured reserve Wednesday, rather than the regular IR, per Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Impact Ludvig consequently isn't eligible to return until Jan. 27 versus Montreal at the earliest, assuming this move is retroactive to Sunday, which is when he was last in the lineup. The 23-year-old defenseman has an assist in 19 contests this season. Pierre-Olivier Joseph is likely to play regularly while Ludvig is unavailable.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured reserve Ludvig (undisclosed) has been designated for injured reserve Wednesday.

Impact Ludvig was originally deemed as "banged up" by coach Mike Sullivan but it appears the blueliner is dealing with something more severe. Since returning from a concussion, Ludvig has been a mainstay in the Penguins' lineup, appearing in 18 straight games in which he recorded one assist, 35 hits and 23 blocks. In his stead, Pierre-Olivier Joseph should get an extended look while Ryan Shea was recalled from the minors.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Not a healthy scratch Ludvig is banged up and not available for Tuesday's game versus the Capitals, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.

Impact Ludvig was initially expected to maintain his place in the lineup over Pierre-Olivier Joseph for Tuesday's contest. Instead, Ludvig will sit to deal with the undisclosed injury. Head coach Mike Sullivan is expected to comment on Ludvig's status after the game -- if not, an update should be available prior to Thursday's tilt with the Bruins.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

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