Avalanche defenseman John Ludvig remains grateful to Penguins

The first time he played in an NHL game, John Ludvig was a big hit.

Too literally.

Making his NHL debut for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, Ludvig, a left-handed defenseman, stepped up in the neutral zone and blasted Dallas Stars forward Radek Faksa with a debilitating check on Oct. 24, 2023.

The only problem was it debilitated Ludvig, who struck his face off of Faksa’s helmet and knocked himself out, suffering a concussion in the process.

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It was a less-than-ideal way to start his NHL career. But Ludvig recovered from the injury and enjoyed the rest of his rookie season with the Penguins, appearing in 33 games and posting five points (three goals, two assists) while averaging 11 minutes, 48 seconds of ice time.

He also displayed an eagerness to drop the gloves as he accrued 47 penalty minutes while leading the team with five fighting majors in 2023-24.

“It was all kind of a blur,” Ludvig said. “At the same time, there’s a ton of core memories that I’ll have forever. First fight, first goal, first win, everything. There’s so much that happens in a year that you’ll remember. I’m super thankful for everything last year.”

Things are different this year. Namely, he’s in a different jersey.

On Oct. 5, the Penguins waived Ludvig. One day later, he was claimed by the Colorado Avalanche.

He largely has inhabited a similar role with his new team. That’s to say he’s still a reserve defenseman who is in and out of the lineup and is primarily used on the third pairing when he does play.

So far, he has been limited to eight games and two assists while averaging 12:57 of ice time. With no fighting majors as of yet, he has racked up only six penalty minutes.

(Ludvig is expected to be a healthy scratch for Tuesday’s game against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.)

“I’m still trying to sort of establish myself and just do whatever I can to help my team win,” Ludvig said. “That’s kind of how it was in (Pittsburgh). So, not a lot has changed really.”

Even if Ludvig’s presence in the lineup has been limited, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar offered a strong endorsement of the 24-year-old.

“He’s been solid for us,” Bednar said. “He hasn’t played a lot just because of some of the depth on our (defense). A physical guy, a simple game. A guy that I think is still learning how to be more and more effective in the league. He’s still a relatively young player. But he’s been solid for us. He has an edge to his game. Been a strong penalty killer for us. He brings a little bit of everything. His puck moving has been good. I’m impressed with him as a young defenseman that is still sort of finding his way and what kind of identity he has to carve out.”

Going through waivers wasn’t a new experience for Ludvig. In fact, he joined the Penguins through that process after the team that drafted him, the Florida Panthers, waived him in October of 2023.

Given the role he inhabits, Ludvig wasn’t surprised the Penguins waived him toward the end of training camp earlier this fall.

“It’s always kind of weird and crazy because there is a lot of uncertainty,” Ludvig said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen. I didn’t have a great camp here in (Pittsburgh). I was about to step on the ice (with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), and you find out two minutes before the waiver deadline there. It’s always crazy, but I’m thankful for how it turned out.”

His satisfaction in being part of the Avalanche — which Ludvig labels as “a high-level group” — doesn’t come from a place of resentment for the Penguins.

Quite the opposite.

“I’m grateful,” Ludvig said. “Everyone in the organization was great. They were good to me. It was my first year of NHL experience. So, I’m super thankful. Just grateful.”