The Colorado Avalanche have traded defenseman Ilya Solovyov to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Valtteri Puustinen and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Puustinen will join the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. The deal adds depth to both teams as the season progresses.
The trade, announced on January 20, 2026, by Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas, sees the Penguins bolstering their defensive lineup with the 25-year-old Solovyov, who is signed through the 2025-26 season at an average annual value of $775,000. Solovyov, a Belarusian native drafted 205th overall by the Calgary Flames in 2020, has recorded one goal and two assists in 16 games with the Avalanche this season, averaging 11:34 of ice time per night. He split time between the NHL club and the Colorado Eagles, appearing in three AHL games. Over his career, Solovyov has tallied 18 goals and 51 assists for 69 points in 232 AHL games across Colorado, Calgary, and Stockton, along with a plus-34 rating. In 31 NHL appearances with Colorado and Calgary, he has one goal and six assists.
In return, the Avalanche receive 26-year-old Finnish forward Valtteri Puustinen, selected 203rd overall by Pittsburgh in the 2019 NHL Draft. Puustinen has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he leads the team with 19 assists and ranks second with 26 points (seven goals) in 35 games. The Penguins hold a strong 26-11-1-2 record this season. Puustinen's NHL career includes 66 games with seven goals and 17 assists, totaling 24 points. His standout AHL season came in 2022-23 with 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 72 games. Before North America, he played for HPK in Finland's Liiga, winning the 2018-19 championship, and has represented Finland internationally, earning silver at the 2021 World Championship and gold at the 2019 World Juniors.
Solovyov was claimed off waivers by Colorado on October 3, 2025, providing the Avalanche with a reliable two-way defenseman. This transaction reflects both teams' efforts to address roster needs ahead of the trade deadline.
