Avalanche Claim Penguins Defenseman Off Waivers

The Pittsburgh Penguins decided to waive defenseman John Ludvig on Friday, and the Colorado Avalanche claimed him on Saturday. 

The 24-year-old, who stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 214 pounds, was initially a third-round draft pick (69th overall) of the Florida Panthers in 2019. 

He came to the Penguins organization through waivers in October 2023 and played in 33 games last season, scoring three goals and five points while racking up 47 penalty minutes and a minus-12 rating.

After producing 62 points in 60 games with the Portland Winterhawks in 2019-20, Ludvig made his professional debut with the Syracuse Crunch in 2020-21. 

In four seasons in the AHL, split between the Crunch, Charlotte Checkers, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he scored five goals and 25 points in 74 games, adding two assists in ten playoff games. 

As an insurance addition, Ludvig will most likely report directly to the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, and could eventually play in the NHL at some point this season.