The Colorado Avalanche made a move Tuesday afternoon aimed at shoring up their forward depth, sending defenseman Ilya Solovyov to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for winger Valtteri Puustinen and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick.
Let’s break it down: this is a classic depth-for-depth swap, with both teams addressing specific needs as the season grinds into its second half.
What the Avalanche are getting in Puustinen
For Colorado, the addition of Puustinen brings a skilled, experienced winger into the fold - a timely move for a team that’s been navigating a rash of injuries up front. The 26-year-old Finnish forward has spent this season with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he’s been productive, notching seven goals and 26 points through 35 games. That kind of output suggests he's got the offensive instincts to contribute if called upon at the NHL level.
And he’s no stranger to the big stage. Puustinen has 66 NHL games under his belt, including a 52-game run with Pittsburgh in 2023-24 where he tallied five goals and 20 points. He may not be a game-breaker, but he brings a reliable two-way presence and some scoring touch - the kind of plug-and-play winger who can slide into a bottom-six role or provide a spark if injuries pile up.
At 5’9”, Puustinen doesn’t bring size, but he’s got a motor and a solid hockey IQ. Developed in Finland’s HPK Hameenlinna system, he made the jump to North America in 2021 and has been steadily carving out a role ever since. For the Avalanche, he’s the kind of depth piece that can make a difference in the margins - especially come playoff time.
What the Penguins are getting in Solovyov
On the flip side, Pittsburgh adds a big-bodied defenseman in Solovyov - a 6’3” left-shot blueliner who brings size, reach, and a bit of snarl to the back end. The 25-year-old has appeared in 16 games for Colorado this season, logging a goal and three points while averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time per night. He was claimed off waivers from Calgary in October, and while his role in Denver was limited, he showed flashes of being a steady third-pairing option.
Originally a seventh-round pick by the Flames in 2020, Solovyov spent his first four North American seasons in Calgary’s system. He got into 15 NHL games with the Flames over two seasons, picking up four assists, and had a strong 2024-25 campaign with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, posting six goals and 28 points in 59 games. That’s respectable production for a defenseman who leans more toward the stay-at-home side of the spectrum.
Solovyov is under contract through the end of the 2025-26 season at a $775,000 cap hit, and he’ll become a Group 6 unrestricted free agent after that. For Pittsburgh, this is a low-risk move to add organizational depth on the blue line - and potentially unlock more from a player who’s still relatively young and has shown he can handle NHL minutes.
Why this trade makes sense for both sides
This is the kind of deal that doesn’t grab headlines but can quietly pay dividends. The Avalanche get a forward with NHL experience who could step into their lineup if needed, while the Penguins add a defenseman with size and a bit of upside who can help fill out their depth chart.
For Colorado, Puustinen is a smart insurance policy as they gear up for a playoff push. For Pittsburgh, Solovyov brings a different look to their defensive corps and could be a useful piece if injuries hit or the team needs to shuffle its bottom pair.
In short, both teams addressed areas of need without giving up major assets - a tidy piece of business as the trade market slowly starts to heat up.