The Colorado Avalanche sent Ilya Solovyov down for a conditioning loan to the Colorado Eagles right before the break. An injury or lack of playing time did not cause them to send him down. The defenseman had not played a game in five weeks. So if the Avalanche don’t trust Ilya  Solovyov, who do they trust? Which Eagle would perform if promoted?

On October 3rd, the Avalanche claimed Solovyov off of waivers from the Calgary Flames. From the looks of it, he was going to be a temporary replacement for any injured defenseman with the Avalanche and be their seventh defenseman on the roster. Samuel Girard’s injury led to Solovyov playing nine games. He did this all while learning a new system and adjusting to a new place to live.

His performance was okay; Solovyov had some wonderful plays. Overall, he did not stand out.

During Solovyov’s conditioning loan, he admitted he did not play his greatest hockey. This was mostly because he had not played a game in five weeks. But as he played more and more shifts, he looked better and better.

Who the Avalanche chose over Solovyov

After November 1st, things shifted for Solovyov. He played the fewest number of shifts for the Avalanche in a game and has not played a game since. Ever since then, Girard has been healthy, but Jack Ahcan has played four games over Solovyov.

Ahcan has played six games for the Avalanche and was already familiar with the system coming into the season. I expected him to be called upon regularly throughout the season because he plays a very similar style of hockey to Girard. He has become an anchor of the Eagles’ defensive core with three goals and 12 assists.

Who could be next?

Should Avalanche favor size, Alex Gagne might receive a call-up from the Eagles. Gagne is very similar in size and also waivers exempt. That is the key. Solovyov is not waivers exempt, and the Avs could lose him to a claim if they attempt to send him to the Eagles. Gagne has been impressive in the professional game so far this season with one goal and eight assists. His physical style of play has been the biggest standout of his game so far.

Solovyov could see his days numbered in an Avalanche uniform. Colorado may have expected the bigger defenseman to play a rougher style of hockey. Solovyov called himself a puck-moving defenseman, and he thought it would be a better fit as well. But that seems not to be the case. The Avs have a few options besides Ahcan and Gagne, like Keaton Middleton, Ronnie Attard, and Sean Behrens. If they end up putting him on waivers and he gets claimed (probably by Calgary), they have options.