Penguins Extend Bryan Rust

The Penguins signed popular right wing and soon-to-be free agent Bryan Rust to a six-year extension last night for $30.75 million, an average annual value of $5.125. A move I found as surprising as it was quick, bold and decisive.

Although the cap hit certainly isn’t out of line for a player of Rust’s performance history and abilities, the term is. Especially when you consider the 30-year-old’s age, health history and playing style.

Due at least in part to his tenacious, driving, hell-for-leather approach, “Trusty Rusty” has never skated in more than 72 games during an NHL season. He missed 22 games in 2021-22 with various ailments.

When healthy, there’s no questioning Rust’s work ethic or value. He’s tallied 73 goals in 171 regular-season games over the past three seasons, second-most on the club behind Jake Guentzel and an impressive average of 35 goals per 82 games.

This season was arguably his finest. Rust tallied 24 goals and established new career highs with 34 assists and 58 points, including an absolutely Mario-esque three-game stretch early in the New Year when he exploded for seven goals and 11 points following a return from injury. Helping him snag NHL Third Star honors for the month of January.

My personal take? While I love Rust and what he brings to the table, a couple of concerns. One, a fairly sizeable chunk of his production over the past three seasons…23 goals to be exact…have come on the power play. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that, but it alters the perception somewhat of Rust as an even-strength dynamo.

Along those lines, he’s a good possession player but not a great one (Corsi of 50.96).

Two, a few years down the road will the Pens be looking to shed Rusty’s contract a la Patric Hornqvist, who inked a similar deal back in 2018-19? There are a lot of overlays in terms of playing style and the wear and tear they absorb.

I guess time will tell.

On the plus (plus) side, Rust blends beautifully with Sidney Crosby and Guentzel to form one of the more dynamic and effective lines in hockey. He’s versatile, clutch and a heart-and-soul player to boot, willing to sacrifice anything for the good of the team.

You can never have enough of them.