Continuing our series on potential trade chips for the Pittsburgh Penguins, we delve into the case of forward Bryan Rust.
Previous entries:
Trade or keep: Rickard Rakell
Trade or keep: Kevin Hayes
Trade or keep: Michael Bunting
Bryan Rust’s Journey with the Pittsburgh Penguins
Bryan Rust’s career with the Pittsburgh Penguins has been a pleasant surprise in recent franchise history.
Upon joining the team, Rust did not arrive as a highly touted draft pick. Throughout his minor league development, he did not stand out as someone destined for significant NHL impact.
However, Rust’s career took a turn in the 2015-16 season. As part of a wave of call-ups, he contributed to transforming an underachieving Penguins team into consecutive Stanley Cup champions.
Over the past decade, Rust has evolved from an unheralded prospect to a top player on the team, a reliable depth player, and a core contributor. He consistently scores, has already reached 200 career goals, and continues to improve with age.
In the 2022 free agency period, Rust was a prime candidate for re-signing alongside Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Rickard Rakell. Initially, I believed Rust’s contract would age poorly. However, his performance has proven otherwise. Rust is under contract for three more seasons at $5.1 million per year, and his no-movement clause gives him control over his future.
The Case for Keeping Bryan Rust
Team attitude, pride, and culture are critical, especially during a rebuild or retooling phase. Players like Rust, who embody professionalism and a winning mentality, are invaluable.
Full teardowns that rid the team of all competent players often fail. Such a reconversion fosters an environment where losing is acceptable, disrupting the team’s culture and mindset.
Losing breeds a losing culture, making it challenging to recover.
Rust exemplifies the values essential to maintaining a winning team culture. He is consistent, passionate about his role as a Penguin, and a top-line player alongside Sidney Crosby.
These factors are significant beyond his on-ice performance.
Rust is not just a solid player; he is a productive one who can fill various roles. His top-line scoring and Stanley Cup experience make him even more appealing.
The Case for Trading Bryan Rust
Despite being past 30, Rust remains a valuable trade asset. He is a reliable top-line scorer averaging around 25-30 goals per 82 games and can play multiple positions.
Trading Rust could yield a significant return, including young talent and draft picks, potentially boosting the Penguins’ future prospects. A team with Stanley Cup aspirations could be enticed by Rust’s presence.
The Decision: Keep or Trade?
Ultimately, the answer likely hinges on the trade offer. However, it is unlikely the Penguins are in a rush to trade Rust, given his value and the importance of keeping Crosby comfortable over the next two years.
Considering his contributions and the team’s current strategy, it would be surprising if Rust were not still a Penguin on March 8, 2024.
Poll
What should the Pittsburgh Penguins do with Bryan Rust at the 2024-25 NHL Trade Deadline?
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