Ilya Solovyov’s Transition to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Ilya Solovyov is quickly acclimating to his new role with the Pittsburgh Penguins following his trade from the Colorado Avalanche. On Thursday night, in a match against the Chicago Blackhawks at PPG Paints Arena, Solovyov marked his presence by contributing to his team’s 6-2 victory – a game that saw Pittsburgh score six consecutive goals after an initial sluggish performance. During the eventful gameplay, he assisted Ryan Shea in netting a goal, which became the fifth for Pittsburgh, further extending their lead to 4-1.
Trade Details and Player Performance
Just under two weeks earlier, the Avalanche initiated a trade, sending Solovyov to the Penguins in return for Valtteri Puustinen, a 26-year-old winger, along with a seventh-round draft pick for 2026. Previously, Solovyov had spent the season with Colorado, appearing in 16 games, where he managed one goal and two assists. His last game with the Avalanche was on January 19 against the Washington Capitals, a 5-2 win for Colorado.
Since Solovyov’s departure, the Avalanche seem to be struggling; they have suffered three losses and one overtime loss in their last five games. On the other hand, Puustinen, while formerly an NHL player last seen during the 2024-25 season, has been productive in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this year, contributing seven goals and 26 points in 39 games. However, since transferring to the Colorado Eagles, he has only one point in three games.
Potential Impact of the Trade
If Puustinen gets called up to the NHL, he could potentially enhance Colorado’s power play, which has been underwhelming this season with a conversion rate of just 15.7%, ranking them among the least effective in the league. The Avalanche also leads in allowing the most shorthanded goals, which is an area where Puustinen’s skills as a strong skater could make a positive difference.
For Solovyov, this trade offers a chance to gain more ice time and showcase his abilities on a team that is currently in a rebuilding phase. In his Penguins debut, Solovyov played close to 17 minutes on the ice, a significant increase from his average of 11:34 minutes while with the Avalanche. This change could be pivotal for his development as he seizes the opportunity to play more prominently, especially as the Avalanche gears up for the return of injured players like Devon Toews.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both teams are poised to benefit from the trade, with Colorado potentially strengthening their power play and Solovyov receiving the playing time necessary for his growth in the league.
