Avalanche's John Ludvig: First point with new team
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Ludvig produced an assist and three hits in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Sharks.
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 Ludvig's in the lineup, he'll likely be confined to a bottom-four role, giving him little fantasy upside.
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Avalanche's John Ludvig: Claimed by Colorado
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Colorado claimed Ludvig off waivers from Pittsburgh on Saturday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Ludvig played 33 regular-season games with the Penguins in 2023-24, picking up three goals and a pair of assists. However, he spent most of his first NHL campaign in the press box as a healthy scratch. Ludvig was likely acquired to be a depth defenseman for the Avalanche in 2024-25.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Lands on waiver wire
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Ludvig was placed on waivers by the Penguins on Friday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
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.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Good to go
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Ludvig (wrist) will be ready for the beginning of training camp, the team announced Tuesday.
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.
Ludvig underwent wrist surgery April 24, the team announced Wednesday. He's expected to need four-to-six months to recover.
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.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Finishes season in press box
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Ludvig spent the final nine games of the season as a healthy scratch.
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, Ludvig will likely be included on Pittsburgh's Opening Night roster in 2024-25.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Set for healthy scratch
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Ludvig (illness) will serve as a healthy scratch against the Maple Leafs on Monday, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
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.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Out of action Saturday
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Ludvig (illness) will miss his fourth straight game Saturday versus Tampa Bay, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.
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.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Not playing Thursday
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Ludvig (illness) will miss Thursday's tilt versus Washington, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
This will be Ludvig's third game on the shelf. The defenseman has three goals, two assists, 72 hits and 33 blocked shots in 2023-24, his first NHL season. Ryan Shea will once again play in Ludvig's place on the third unit against the Capitals.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Not expected to play
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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.
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 tilt against the Capitals, though he's no lock to be in the lineup.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Game-time call versus New Jersey
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Ludvig (illness) will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's matchup with the Devils, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.
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.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Out Monday
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Ludvig (illness) will not play Monday against the Rangers.
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.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Two points vs. Sharks
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Ludvig tallied a goal and an assist in Thursday's 6-3 win over San Jose.
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.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Available to return Tuesday
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Ludvig (upper body) will be available to return Tuesday against Winnipeg.
Ludvig will be available if needed 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 this season. Having the youngster back in the fold will give Pittsburgh some more depth on the blue line.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Returns from conditioning
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Ludvig (upper body) was recalled from his conditioning assignment with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday, per CapFriendly.
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.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Sent to AHL for conditioning
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Ludvig (upper body) was loaned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday for conditioning purposes.
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.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Practicing in regular jersey
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Ludvig (upper body) is taking part in practice Friday in a regular jersey, Penguins' studio host Dan Potash reports.
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.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Not practicing with team
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Ludvig (upper body) has begun skating but still hasn't taken part in practice, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports Wednesday.
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 once cleared to play.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: On long-term injured reserve
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Ludvig was put on long-term injured reserve Wednesday, rather than the regular IR, with an upper-body injury, per Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
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.
