Rookie Defenseman Earning Regular Spot With Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are likely going to keep John Ludvig around, even in a healthy lineup.
When the Pittsburgh Penguins claimed John Ludvig off of waivers just prior to the start of the season, there wasn’t much of an expectation for him to make the team.
At the time, the Penguins were loaded with defensive depth and he seemed like another player destined for the AHL, especially without any training camp or preseason games under his belt.
Ludvig, however, had something the team liked, even without the usual reps leading into the season; he made the opening night roster, albeit a healthy scratch.
He and Ryan Shea started the year as healthy scratches but may be the Penguins new third defensive pairing, even when all are healthy.
The Penguins are currently without P.O. Joseph and Cad Ruhwedel due to injury, but according to head coach Mike Sullivan, Ludvig provides something the team really likes.
Following a contest against the Nashville Predators where Ludvig recorded his first point and fighting major, Sullivan said he brings some ‘edge’ to the lineup.
“He sticks up for our guys,” Sullivan said. “I think he’s getting more comfortable with every day that he’s here.”
Ludvig is a left-shot defender but has been playing on the right side; an abnormal situation for a defenseman.
“He moves the puck well,” Sullivan said. “Playing on his off side, that’s not an easy thing to do.”
Sullivan would go on to say that even with a healthy defensive group, Ludvig has a real chance of sticking in the lineup.
“He brings a dimension we don’t have a lot of,” Sullivan said. “He’s a guy that I think is going to get better.”
It wasn’t clear what kind of player the Penguins were getting when they claimed Ludvig from the Florida Panthers; he had no NHL experience and joined a crowded defensive group.
Playing with that edge and a level of fearlessness, Ludvig provides the Penguins with something they desperately need at times: aggression.
Ludvig isn't afraid to throw his body around, even after suffering a frightening looking concussion in his NHL debut.
The head injuries won't change the way Ludvig plays, however, as he states to have 'had a few.'
So long as he can remain healthy and in a safe space regarding those concussions, Ludvig can certainly be a regular NHL defenseman.
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