Penguins Place Ludvig on Long-Term IR

The Penguins have placed defenseman John Ludvig on long-term injured reserve today with an undisclosed injury. Although this is pure speculation, it’s possible the injury…upper-body in nature…occurred during the rookie’s game-opening scrap with Islanders heavyweight Matt Martin on Sunday night.

Although Ludvig’s had his struggles (a team-worst minus-7), the 23-year-old hard rock brings a physical element and edge that no other black-and-gold defenseman possesses other than Kris Letang when the veteran gets fired up.

In a corresponding move, the Pens recalled Ryan Shea from the Baby Pens. In 22 games with the Pens, Shea recorded 14 blocked shots, 13 hits and a minus-2 while displaying a…