Penguins Placed Ilya Solovyov on Waivers
The Pittsburgh Penguins have moved defenseman Ilya Solovyov to waivers following a recent roster trade.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Hockey
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The Pittsburgh Penguins placed defenseman Ilya Solovyov on waivers on Friday afternoon. This move follows the team's acquisition of defenseman Spencer Stastney from the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
Why it matters
The team made the decision to waive Solovyov after he served as a healthy scratch for the season's first four games. This roster shift creates space on the team following the arrival of Stastney.
Solovyov, standing 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds, recorded five assists across 14 games played last season. He maintained an average ice time of 14:06 per contest while appearing in three postseason games.
The players
Ilya Solovyov
He is a 6-foot-3 defenseman who has played 14 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Spencer Stastney
He is a defenseman recently acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are a professional hockey team based in Pittsburgh competing in the National Hockey League.
The details
Solovyov re-signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins on May 7 prior to the current season. He must clear waivers by 2 p.m. Saturday to be assigned to the organization's AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Timeline
May 7: Solovyov re-signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
October 7, 2026: The Penguins acquired Spencer Stastney.
October 9, 2026: The team placed Ilya Solovyov on waivers.
October 10, 2026: The deadline for other teams to claim Solovyov.
Season Trajectory
This roster move signals a shift in the Pittsburgh defensive rotation following the acquisition of Spencer Stastney. The team is prioritizing its new defensive personnel as it looks to solidify its standing early in the season.
Should Solovyov go unclaimed, he will be assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton roster. This move officially clears a spot for Spencer Stastney to join the active Pittsburgh defensive rotation immediately.
The takeaway
The team's decision reflects a strategic effort to balance roster depth with immediate performance needs. Managing the salary cap through the waiver system remains a critical task for front offices during the regular season.
Further reading
For more on the current lineup, visit Pittsburgh Hockey.
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