Jan. 16: Ludvig has cleared waivers and will be on his way to the AHL, Seravalli reports.
Jan. 15: The Avalanche placed defenseman John Ludvig on waivers Wednesday to assign him to AHL Colorado, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reports.
Ludvig, 24, has made just eight appearances for the Avs since they claimed him off waivers from the Penguins at the end of training camp. He recently spent two weeks in the minors on a conditioning stint that didn’t require waivers, and Colorado’s decided he didn’t show enough to keep a spot on the NHL roster.
His last NHL appearance came on Dec. 5 against the Hurricanes, ending a three-game stretch where he was in the lineup each game but posted a minus-four rating. The 6’1″, 214-lb lefty had one assist and a minus-three rating in five AHL appearances over the past few weeks, and he now appears destined for more time there.
A third-round pick by the Panthers in 2019, Ludvig got his first crack at NHL minutes when Pittsburgh claimed him off waivers at the beginning of the 2023-24 season. He missed time due to concussions but managed 33 appearances, posting five points and a -12 rating, averaging 11:48 per game.
Ludvig has provided little upside thus far in his professional career outside of being a physical bottom-pairing piece, not enough to stick around on the Avs. He managed two points and a minus-four rating in his eight total appearances for the club.
Assuming he clears waivers, the Avalanche will hold onto Ludvig for the rest of the season. He’s in the back half of a two-year, two-way deal and will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights in July, although he risks being non-tendered.