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Penguins Waive Young Depth Forward

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Penguins on SI
By Nick Horwat | Last updated Mar 11, 2024 3:02 PM ET

PITTSBURGH – As the 2023-24 season gets darker for the Pittsburgh Penguins, they are doing everything possible to put a winning team on the ice. That motivation to keep afloat will likely force some post-trade deadline roster changes.

The first to fall victim to those moves appears to be Jonathan Gruden, as the Penguins placed him on waivers. Gruden hasn’t played badly in his most recent NHL stint, but the numbers aren’t following, and the Penguins need results.

Gruden (PIT) on waivers
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 11, 2024

In 11 games played this season, Gruden has only one goal while averaging 8:49 of ice time. Gruden spent most of his time on the Penguins fourth line and with eight shots on goal, the Penguins might be clearing the way for a top prospect to return to the NHL.

Sam Poulin has been a lightning rod for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, scoring 24 points in 30 games. With no playoffs in sight, now is the perfect time to see what Poulin can do at the NHL level.

The Penguins recently acquired Vasily Ponomarev in the Jake Guentzel trade, and general manager Kyle Dubas stated that he could fight for an NHL spot pretty soon. Ponomarev arrives to the organization with 29 points in the AHL this season.

It’s unlikely Gruden will get claimed from the waiver wire as postseason rosters are locked, and he would be of no use to a team in the playoffs. The next steps for Gruden will likely be decided before the Penguins’ contest against the Ottawa Senators.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Penguins on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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