Penguins Shock Fans by Swapping Rising Star Puustinen for Mysterious Prospect Solovyov—What’s Behind the Move?
The Penguins shook things up this week, swapping out forward Valtteri Puustinen and a seventh round draft pick to the Colorado Avalanche, in return snagging defenseman Ilya Solovyov. Puustinen’s been simmering in the Pens’ system since 2021-22, steadily climbing WBS’s all-time scoring charts before hitting a bit of a plateau recently. At 26, this former late-round pick carved out some NHL appearances, but lately has settled more into a depth role. On the flip side, Solovyov’s a towering left-shot defender, a 6’3” presence who’s danced between AHL consistency and short stints with Colorado’s big club—showing flashes of offensive upside despite limited ice time. Pittsburgh’s blueline has been a revolving door this season—over a dozen defensemen seen action, yet stability remains elusive. With injuries, scratches, and players bouncing back and forth, it’s anyone’s guess where Solovyov will fit in. But, if history’s any hint, the Pens aren’t shy about rolling the dice to uncover that hidden gem. Time will tell if this move is just a shuffle or a piece of something bigger.
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