(UPDATED) Penguins Recall Jonathan Gruden from W-B/S, Then Return Him

In a somewhat unexpected move, the Pittsburgh Penguins recalled forward Jonathan Gruden from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League Tuesday.

No corresponding move was announced, and Gruden was assigned back to Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday afternoon..

UPDATE: PuckPedia.com & CapFriendly.com show the Penguins moved defenseman John Ludvig to LTIR.

Penguins forward Jeff Carter missed practice Monday because of what coach Mike Sullivan called an upper-body injury, although he characterized that as precautionary. Carter has been a healthy scratch in recent games in favor of Vinnie Hinostroza as the fourth-line right winger.

The Penguins play Tuesday night in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. According to Sullivan, Gruden was recalled in case Carter could not play.

Gruden, 23, had no points in his first three NHL games last season with the Penguins. First-year general manager Kyle Dubas re-signed Gruden, a restricted free agent, to a one-year contract in July.

This season, he has two goals, three points in 12 games with W-B/S.

Gruden was a fourth-round draft selection by the Ottawa Senators in 2018. The Penguins acquired him in the Matt Murray trade in October, 2020.