Penguins Waive Big Defenseman As New Blueliner Joins Team In Columbus

On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins made a move to clear up their forward logjam, sending Filip Hallander to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for left defenseman Spencer Stastney. 

And, as a result, the Penguins needed to make a move for Stastney.

Even with their active roster only at 22, on Friday, the Penguins placed defenseman Ilya Solovyov on waivers. Stastney joined the team in Columbus ahead of their tilt later Friday evening, and he is expected to be activated prior to puck drop. 

Forward Andrei Kuzmenko is still designated non-roster, but with the team coming home Saturday to face the Dallas Stars, a player would have needed to be waived in order for the possibility of Kuzmenko also being activated for Saturday's game. 

Solovyov, 26, had yet to appear in a game for the Penguins this season. The 6-foot-3, 229-pound blueliner was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche last season and appeared in 14 games for the Penguins down the stretch, logging five assists and a plus-1.

If Solovyov clears waivers, he is eligible to be assigned to AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), a team already currently carrying eight defensemen. 

Stastney, 26, was acquired by the Oilers last season for a 2027 third-round pick and appeared in 36 games, amassing just one point and clocking in at minus-10. Standing at 5-foot-11, 196 pounds, Stastney figures to add to the Penguins' blue line depth on the left side, which is something they could use. 

He is on the books for $1.53 million for just this season, and it is unclear whether or not he will slot in and make his Penguins' debut Friday. He has four goals and 19 points in 117 career NHL games. 

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