The Red Wings “have shown the most interest” among multiple teams that have inquired about acquiring veteran Penguins winger Bryan Rust via trade, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports Tuesday. However, the 31-year-old is unlikely to be on the move ahead of Friday’s trade deadline, as Yohe says Pittsburgh GM Kyle Dubas has not asked Rust to waive his no-move clause.
A 4-5-1 stretch in their last 10 games has the Penguins slipping down the Eastern Conference standings and heading toward retool mode. They boast arguably the top pending UFA available on the trade market in Jake Guentzel, and the prospects they receive in return for the point-per-game winger could help inject some much-needed youth as they attempt to continue being playoff contenders in the twilight years of the Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin/Kris Letang core.
As Yohe points out, Guentzel’s likely trade in the next three days makes dealing Rust now a more aggressive short-term downgrade than Dubas is willing to execute. The team has no intentions of a complete rebuild with Crosby in the fold, especially with their captain nearing the end of his contract. Trading away both of his regular linemates would be counterintuitive.
That said, Rust is signed through 2028 at a reasonable $5.125MM cap hit, and his NMC expires on July 1, 2025. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Red Wings keep tabs on the Michigan native as the Penguins continue to navigate tumultuous waters and make another run at acquiring him, either during this offseason or after his NMC expires.
While injuries have limited Rust to 42 games this year, he’s primarily bounced back from a disappointing 2022-23 season that saw him produce at his lowest clip in four years. He’s potted 18 goals and 18 assists for 36 points with a career-high +15 rating, putting him on pace for 70 over an entire season – much closer to the realm of production he’s had throughout his prime.
A third-round pick of the Pens in 2010, Rust hoisted the Stanley Cup in his first two full seasons in the league in 2016 and 2017. If Detroit maintains their level of interest, he could be a logical veteran replacement for Patrick Kane in the top-six, who will be a UFA this summer after signing a one-year, $2.75MM deal to resume his NHL career in Hockeytown mid-season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Yes, let’s add some rust to our waste.
I hope NOT… Hate to give up anything to Pittsburgh at all. We don’t need any more elderly wingers
Detroit is a top 6 offense, As for the defense, Way below the league average, This would be would be the wrong move for Yzerman but nobody should be surprised, He traded Filip Hronek.
Stuck on the Hronek trade much? Look who his D partner is. I am sure a 1st round pick was the key to making that trade. Several youngsters on their way up ( I hope ) and he found some cheaper options. Sure a good player to give up but have to look at the bigger picture
Van will have about $25M to sign Lindholm ($9M )and Hronek ($7M) and 9 other players (>$9M). Gonna be a real balancing act to get er done!
Sandin-Pellika will be better than Hronek and won’t need a Quinn Hughes type d partner to do so.
Rust + for Berggren + Perron??? then sign Guentzel?
Stevie NO!
WHY ??? That is moronic
Wings already have a #17 (Sprong).
I don’t buy it. So what if Yzerman is kicking the tires on Rust.
Kane is resigning in Detroit. Anyone who has watched the guy closely can see what is really happening.
Don’t see where DET has the right pieces to send back.
I still think a Rust for Garland plus a first deal makes sense, though.
A replacement for Kane?!?! This guy couldnt carry Kane’s suitcases to the airplane.
It would be another Sprong type for the Wings at alot more money. This won’t move the needle for Detroit if that’s what they have in mind.