The Penguins made a lot of organizational roster moves this morning. Several new players joined their American Hockey League affiliate, some players got shifted over to the East Coast Hockey League, and a new face joined the big club up in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins re-called forward Jonathan Gruden this morning as the team was scheduled to play later that night against the Blue Jackets in Columbus.

Gruden was joining the team as forward Jeff Carter, who has been stapled to the press box in recent games, was detailing with a nagging injury.

Gruden was the insurance policy for the team, and made the trip over to Columbus to get ready to be there for his new team.

However, Gruden ended up getting the same treatment Alex Nylander got last year with this team: a constant run around between the NHL and AHL.

Gruden was sent down later in the day, which was a confusing move to many fans who were excited to see another call-up. It was especially confusing considering the team’s social media pumped him up during the day, the he was abruptly sent back over to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

So I figured we should chronicle Jonathan Gruden’s Penguins Experience™.

10:32am: The Penguins announce via their Twitter account (or “X” if that’s your thing) that they have re-called forward Jonathan Gruden from the AHL’s WBS Penguins.

Gruden, 23, had 3 points (2 goals and 1 assist) in 13 games in the AHL to start this season. He had played in 3 games for the Penguins last season, registering no points in very limited ice time (5:20 average through those games).

11:31am: Josh Getzoff reports that Gruden is on the ice for the Penguins’ optional skate in Columbus just about an hour after news of his call-up broke.

Gruden was at practice, and was joined by new teammates Reilly Smith, Ryan Shea, Radim Zohorna, P.O. Joseph, Jeff Carter, Evgeni Malkin, Vinnie Hinostroza, Drew O’Connor, Tristan Jarry, and Magnus Hellberg.

12:42pm: The Penguins post a quote from Gruden shortly after his call-up, a snippet of what he hopes to bring to the Penguins.

Gruden says he will “try to bring the intensity, bring the energy. Get the puck in. Hit a couple guys and try to keep the energy for the guys.”

1:45pm: The Penguins release a video of Gruden speaking to reporters shortly after his practice. In one of the questions asked to him, about what he learned from playing some NHL games last season, Gruden says that he learned more about the pace of the league.

“It’s obviously a big step from the AHL,” he said. “So, just trying to get my legs adjusted whenever the time comes and hopefully so a good job.”

Gruden also states that he feels like his confidence in himself and in his game is imrpoving, and he pointed to an improved roster for the AHL club and a better forward core for elevating the pace and performance in practices as well.

“I think when you play with confidence you obviously play a lot better, and I think that’s one thing I’ve grown since last year,” Gruden added.

3:10pm: The Penguins announce they have re-assigned Gruden to the AHL.

Things seemed all well and good for Gruden. He was there for practice, he was interviewed on the spot, and he was posted about far more than any of the team’s other players were during the day.

He was set to, in all likelihood, serve as the team’s 13th forward for their Tuesday night matchup in Columbus, but he never even got the chance to make it to the night.

The team’s move left many fans curious, and many took the chance to make some of the funniest posts you’ll see all day.

7:00pm: The Penguins play, and there’s no Jonathan Gruden.

By the time the puck drops at 7pm for the Penguins, Gruden is well on his way back to the AHL.

He’ll have plenty of stories to tell his new teammates, about his travels to the west, his single practice, and then his immediate travels back east.

And I’m sure Alex Nylander will remember the days when that would happen to him.

But even though there was no Gruden to be seen for the Penguins that night, maybe that was alright. Maybe, just maybe, the Pittsburgh Penguin Jonathan Gruden was in our hearts the whole time.

(Featured photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)