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.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Placed on injured reserve
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Ludvig (undisclosed) was designated for injured reserve Wednesday.
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 will likely serve as the seventh defenseman.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Not a healthy scratch
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Ludvig is banged up and not available for Tuesday's game versus the Capitals, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.
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 the 23-year-old defenseman's status after the game -- if not, an update should be available prior to Thursday's tilt with the Bruins.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Taken off injured reserve
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Ludvig (concussion) has been activated off IR ahead of Wednesday's matchup with the Rangers.
Ludvig figures to slot into the third pairing alongside Ryan Shea with Chad Ruhwedel (lower body) sidelined. Ludvig's hold on a spot in the lineup should be considered tenuous at best considering both Ty Smith and the recently signed Dmitri Samorukov are waiting for a chance.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Recalled from assignment
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Ludvig (concussion) has been recalled from his conditioning assignment with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and will be on the ice for Tuesday's practice session, Dave Molinari of Pittsburgh Hockey Now reports.
Ludvig played in two games with the Baby Pens in which he recorded two PIM. Back up with the big club, the 23-year-old blueliner may be hard-pressed to break into the lineup ahead of Ryan Shea, though injuries to Chad Ruhwedel (lower body) and Pierre-Olivier Joseph (lower body) could create an opening.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: Sent for conditioning
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Ludvig (concussion) was sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday for a conditioning assignment.
Ludvig, who is on the long-term injured reserve list, hasn't played since Oct. 24, which was his NHL debut, because of the injury. Once he's fully recovered, Ludvig might stay in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for an extended stint, though it's also possible he'll serve as Pittsburgh's sixth or seventh defenseman. He had three goals, 17 points and 72 PIM in 54 outings with AHL Charlotte last campaign.
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Penguins' John Ludvig: At practice Monday
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Ludvig (concussion) was on the ice for Monday's practice in a non-contact jersey. Coach Mike Sullivan told reporters, "He's doing really well, he feels really good. He's had a number of skates on his own, this was the first team practice he joined us for. Right now, we're certainly really encouraged with the progress that he's made." per Pens Inside Scoop.
Ludvig is taking the next step in his recovery process by joining the team on the ice, though he hasn't been cleared for contact yet. Additionally, Ludvig won't be eligible to come off long-term injured reserve until Nov. 19 against Vegas. Even once given the all-clear, the young defenseman could struggle for minutes given the crowded blue line.
