Gruden was waived by the Penguins on Friday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Gruden logged 13 games for Pittsburgh last season, notching one goal, nine shots and 35 hits while averaging a mere 8:40 of ice time. The 2018 fourth-round pick was significantly more productive with the Baby Pens last year, recording 24 points in 47 regular-season outings. Given the forward depth around him, Gruden faces an uphill battle to play significant minutes in the NHL this year.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Will return Sunday
Rotowire
Gruden (upper body) won't play Saturday against the Red Wings, but he's expected to return Sunday versus the Senators, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.
Gruden was considered day-to-day after suffering the injury in training camp, though it appears the winger will be ready to return Sunday when the Penguins host Ottawa. The 24-year-old Gruden is competing for a bottom-six role this year after scoring one goal in 13 games in 2023-24.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Has upper-body injury
Rotowire
Gruden has sustained an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day, per Wes Crosby of NHL.com on Wednesday.
Gruden had a goal in 13 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24. He's fighting for a roster spot, but there's a good chance the 24-year-old will begin the 2024-25 campaign in the minors.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Signs two-year deal
Rotowire
Gruden penned a two-year, two-way contract with the Penguins on Tuesday.
Gruden played in just 13 games at the NHL level this season in which he generated one goal on nine shots, 35 hits and five blocks while averaging 8:40 of ice time. At this point, the youngster will be hard-pressed to break into the 23-man roster full-time next season but should see his fair share of call-ups throughout the campaign.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Sent down to minors
Rotowire
Gruden was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports.
Gruden's demotion comes after Jeff Carter was able to shake off an upper-body injury to play against Columbus on Thursday. In addition, defenseman Ryan Graves (upper body) picked up an injury in that game. As such, Gruden became an unnecessary extra forward on the roster.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Right back to AHL
Rotowire
Gruden was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.
Gruden has bounced between levels Friday with Pittsburgh seemingly dealing with an ever-evolving injury situation up front. At this point it isn't clear if he'll be back with the big club prior to Saturday's matchup with Columbus.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Back with Pittsburgh
Rotowire
Gruden was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday, according to Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.
Gruden was sent down earlier in the day as Jeff Carter (upper body) played Thursday, giving the Penguins 13 healthy forwards without Gruden. However, the Penguins recalled Gruden, so perhaps there may be an unknown injury up front. Gruden has one goal in 13 NHL games this season.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Back in NHL
Rotowire
Gruden was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Tuesday.
Gruden has been up and down from the AHL frequently in March as the Penguins deal with injuries. He's likely up Tuesday as extra depth due to Jeff Carter (upper body) being considered day-to-day.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Returns to AHL
Rotowire
Gruden was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.
Gruden's contributed a goal in 12 games with Pittsburgh this season. He also has 13 goals and 24 points in 43 outings with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Rises to top level
Rotowire
Gruden was promoted from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Tuesday.
Although he's now with the big club, at this point it isn't clear if Gruden will crack the lineup for Tuesday's game versus New Jersey. He's tallied one goal while averaging 8:49 of ice time through 11 top-level appearances this year.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Lands on waivers
Rotowire
Gruden was designated for waivers by the Penguins on Monday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Gruden has appeared in just 11 NHL games this season in which he registered one goal, eight shots on net and 30 hits while averaging 8:49 of ice time per contest. The decision to move the 23-year-old winger to the minors likely means that Drew O'Connor (concussion) will be available to face the Senators on Tuesday.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Rejoins big club
Rotowire
Gruden was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre Scranton on Friday, per the AHL's transaction log.
Gruden was cycled between the AHL and NHL levels in a paper move Friday. He should be available for Saturday's game against Boston.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Rotowire
Gruden was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday, according to Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.
Gruden scored his first NHL goal Saturday in a 4-3 loss to Calgary. The winger has one goal in nine NHL games this season and 13 goals and 10 assists in 41 AHL appearances this year.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Nets first career goal
Rotowire
Gruden scored a goal and added four hits in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Flames.
Gruden tallied his first goal and point at the NHL level at 16:42 of the first period. The 23-year-old forward hadn't even taken a shot on net in his first five appearances of this season. He's been a source of toughness with 19 hits and a minus-1 rating, and he may get a longer look in the bottom six if the Penguins start selling before Friday's trade deadline.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Called up from minors
Rotowire
Gruden was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday.
Gruden was a healthy scratch versus Seattle on Thursday before being sent down to the minors after the game. Gruden has yet to garner a point in five NHL games this season. He does, however, have 13 goals and 23 points in 41 AHL contests this year.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Back down to minors
Rotowire
Gruden was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday.
Gruden didn't suit up Thursday versus the Kraken after being called up from the minors. He may be back up with the Penguins ahead of Saturday's game versus the Flames.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Recalled from minors
Rotowire
Gruden was elevated from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday.
Gruden has logged five games with the Pens this season but continues to search for his first NHL point. The Michigan native is far from a lock to get into the lineup against the Kraken on Thursday but will likely serve as an emergency depth option for the duration of the team's four-game road trip.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Dropped to minors
Rotowire
Gruden was assigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.
Gruden has been credited with 15 hits in five NHL outings this season. He has 11 goals and 19 points in 38 AHL appearances this campaign. Gruden's demotion could bode well for the availability of Jansen Harkins (concussion) ahead of Sunday's contest versus the Kings.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Recalled Thursday
Rotowire
Gruden was called up from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday.
Gruden has 11 goals, 19 points and 34 PIM in 38 contests with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. He's appeared in seven career games with Pittsburgh but hasn't recorded a point in that span.
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Penguins' Johnny Gruden: Back in AHL
Rotowire
Gruden was returned to AHL Wilkes-Barre Scranton on Monday, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.
Gruden, who has been in the lineup since Dec. 8 against Florida, hasn't picked up a point in four outings with Pittsburgh this season. The Penguins also sent down Marc Johnstone, which could lead to the returns of Noel Acciari (lower body) and Rickard Rakell (upper body) ahead of Monday's contest against Minnesota.
