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Penguins and Avalanche Make Minor Trade

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Jan 20, 2026 3:35 PM ET

The Penguins have acquired defenseman Ilya Solovyov from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Valtteri Puustinen and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick. The team announced the trade on Tuesday afternoon.

The Penguins have acquired defenseman Ilya Solovyov from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Valtteri Puustinen and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick.

Details: https://t.co/ETEr66md0M pic.twitter.com/5oVOWRubYa
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 20, 2026

For both the Avalanche and Penguins, this is a depth piece swap. Solovyov, claimed off waivers from Calgary, struggled to earn consistent minutes as Colorado’s seventh defenseman but showed flashes when given limited opportunities. Puustinen heads to Colorado after five years in Pittsburgh’s system, where he was a strong AHL scorer and posted respectable NHL numbers in 2023–24.

The move provides both teams with roster flexibility without significantly altering either lineup.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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