[NHL] Colorado Avalanche Bolster Offense with Acquisition of Valtteri Puustinen
(Denver = Won Jeong) The NHL’s Colorado Avalanche have completed a trade to strengthen their offensive depth and secure future assets.
The Avalanche officially announced on the 20th (local time) that they have acquired forward Valtteri Puustinen and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Ilya Solovyov. Puustinen is expected to report initially to the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles.
The 26-year-old Finnish native has been in top form this season with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, recording 26 points (7 goals, 19 assists) in 35 games. At the time of the trade, he led his former club in assists and ranked second in total points, showcasing his sharp offensive instincts.
Puustinen brings a solid track record to the organization, having registered 24 points (7 goals, 17 assists) in 66 career NHL games. His experience is even more extensive in the AHL, where he has tallied 175 points (72 goals, 103 assists) over 252 professional appearances.
Beyond his club performance, Puustinen has a decorated international pedigree, having earned a gold medal at the 2019 World Junior Championships and a silver medal at the 2021 IIHF World Championship. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 180 pounds, the right-shot forward brings championship experience from the Finnish top league (Liiga) and a wealth of North American production.
Meanwhile, defenseman Ilya Solovyov, who moves to Pittsburgh, joined the Avalanche via waivers in October 2025. He recorded 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 16 appearances for Colorado this season.
Analysts view this trade as a pragmatic move by Colorado, allowing the team to move a depth defenseman while gaining a ready-to-play offensive threat for their AHL system and an additional draft pick for the future.
