Penguins defenseman John Ludvig pushing to earn spot on the team

As a defenseman, standing at 6 foot 1 and weighing 213 pounds he impressed with his physicality and strong work on the ice.

Ludvig's journey with the Penguins kicked off when he was picked up on October 9 2023. Despite some anticipation, it took him a couple of weeks to step into his NHL game. Once he hit the ice his aggressive style of play was immediately noticeable.

However, things took a turn during a match against the Dallas Stars on October 24 when an attempt at a hit led to him colliding head on with Radek Faksa's helmet and suffering a concussion. This setback landed him on the injured reserve list for a period.

That incident eventually placed Ludvig on long-term injured reserve, resulting in a two-game conditioning assignment with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in mid-November.

Coming back into action on November 22, Ludvig mainly played as part of the third pairing. His willingness to defend his teammates was evident in a game against the Nashville Predators on November 28 when he engaged in a fight, with heavyweight Michael McCarron.

Ludvig faced another challenge on December 31 when he got injured during a scuffle, with Matt Martin from the New York Islanders. This injury kept him off the ice for 13 games.

Despite the setback, Ludvig managed to return to play by February 10 following a conditioning period. While he encountered obstacles like sitting out as a scratch for nine games in a row, his playing time improved once Chad Ruhwedel was traded. Ludvig suited up for nine games with a standout performance on March 10 against the Edmonton Oilers where he tallied 17 penalty minutes after an altercation with Warren Foegele.

Unfortunately Ludvig's season was cut short due to surgery to fix a tendon in his wrist, requiring four to six months of recovery time. Turning 24 in August, Ludvig will be competing for a spot as the teams defenseman. Despite not being known for his puck skills, his physical style of play and dedication to defending his teammates make him an important asset.

Looking ahead at Ludvig's future with the Penguins there may be competition from other players; however, his distinctive focus and physicality solidifies him as a contender, for the NHL roster.

John Ludvig's relentless determination to secure his spot on the team, both in battles and symbolic challenges showcases a story of resilience and steadfast dedication, to the sport.

Source: Triblive
Penguins A to Z: John Ludvig will keep fighting, literally, for a roster spot