The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Ilya Solovyov to a one‑year contract extension carrying a cap hit of $850K for the 2026–27 season. The deal keeps the 25‑year‑old in the organization for another year after he split the 2025–26 campaign between the Colorado Avalanche and the Penguins.
Solovyov appeared in 30 NHL games this season, the most of his young career. He opened the year with the Avalanche, recording three points (1G–2A) in 16 games before being acquired by Pittsburgh, where he added five assists in 14 contests while averaging 14:06 ATOI.
The extension comes after Solovyov set career highs across the board in games played (30), goals (1), assists (7), and points (8). He also made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut, appearing in three postseason games for Pittsburgh and giving the coaching staff a first look at how his game translates in higher‑leverage situations.
Originally drafted by Calgary in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Solovyov has taken a gradual development path through the AHL. He has logged 232 career AHL games with the Calgary Wranglers and Colorado Eagles, producing 69 points (18G–51A) and establishing himself as a reliable, physical defender capable of handling heavy minutes. He has also appeared in 22 Calder Cup Playoff games, adding four points.
Before arriving in North America, Solovyov spent the 2020–21 season in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, posting nine points in 41 games.
For Pittsburgh, the extension provides organizational stability and a cost‑effective depth option as the club continues to reshape its blue line. Solovyov’s size (6‑foot‑3, 208 pounds), defensive play, and ability to play either at the NHL level or anchor minutes in the AHL make him a useful, cost-effective piece for a team that relied heavily on call‑ups throughout the 2025–26 season.