Gruden, 23, spent 54 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League in 2022-23. He recorded career highs in goals (16) and points (31), and his 31 points were sixth most on the team. He also appeared in three games with Pittsburgh, making his NHL debut on January 16, 2023 against the Anaheim Ducks.