The Pittsburgh Penguins have continued their active approach to bolster their roster ahead of a playoff push. On Tuesday, the team executed a trade that adds depth to their defensive line. The Penguins exchanged forward Valtteri Puustinen along with a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the Colorado Avalanche in return for 25-year-old defenseman Ilya Solovyov.
Solovyov, who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 208 pounds, was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft. He was claimed off waivers by the Avalanche at the beginning of this season. Throughout his time with Colorado, he appeared in 16 games during which he scored one goal and accumulated three points, though he posted a minus-1 rating. In his overall NHL career spanning 31 games, he has a total of one goal and seven points.
While Solovyov’s statistics may not stand out at first glance, the Penguins hope to tap into the defenseman’s potential. Known for his powerful shot and ability to leverage his size, Solovyov had a notable performance in the AHL last season with the Calgary Wranglers, recording six goals and 28 points over 59 games while finishing the season with a plus-8 rating. His capabilities include effectively boxing out opponents near the net and transitioning the puck, which could provide the Penguins with valuable contributions moving forward.
Solovyov will travel with the Penguins as they embark on a Western road trip, with an immediate opportunity to make his debut as they face the Flames in Calgary. This could be particularly timely given Kris Letang’s day-to-day status due to an upper-body injury and Erik Karlsson’s absence for the game despite accompanying the team.
Overall, the Penguins’ latest move is seen as a low-risk strategy to enhance their defensive depth, particularly on the left side, an area that has struggled for consistent performance. As the season progresses, this acquisition might prove beneficial as the Penguins strive for playoff success.