Penguins claim defenseman John Ludvig off waivers from Panthers
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With the NHL’s deadline to submit a season-opening roster looming at 5 p.m. Monday, the Penguins claimed defenseman John Ludvig off waivers from the Florida Panthers earlier in the day.
A native of Czechia, Ludvig, 23, was a third-round pick (No. 69) of the Panthers in the 2019 NHL Draft and has yet to play in an NHL regular season contest.
Last season, the left-hander appeared in 54 games at the American Hockey League (AHL) level with the Charlotte Checkers and scored 17 points (three goals, 14 assists).
During this preseason, he appeared in three games and did not record a point on three shots.
The son of former NHL forward Jan Ludvig, John Ludvig (6-foot-1, 213 pounds) entered this past offseason as a restricted free agent and re-signed with the Panthers on July 17, agreeing to a two-year, two-way contract that carries a salary cap hit of $775,000.
Incumbent Penguins forwards Vinnie Hinostroza, Colin White and Radim Zohorna as well as defenseman Mark Friedman and goaltender Magnus Hellberg all cleared waivers and are free to be assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.
Following the addition of Ludvig (pronounced LUHD-vihg), the Penguins now have 49 players signed to NHL contracts for the 2023-24 season, one short of the NHL’s limit of 50 according to Cap Friendly.