Only 4 players from the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2016-17 Stanley Cup championship remain with the team, and three of them are the legendary trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.
The fourth and final longtime Penguin is Bryan Rust. The veteran winger has been a heart and soul player since joining the big club and has emerged as a true top-line forward over the years, one of Crosby’s favorite linemates.
After trading Jake Guentzel in 2024, there’s no way general manager Kyle Dubas would trade away the captain’s other dynamic winger, would he? It certainly appears possible as the Penguins continue their transition of getting younger, and Rust has been a hot commodity on the trade market.
With all of the noise, The Score’s Josh Wegman recently proposed an idea that would see Rust dealt to his hometown Detroit Red Wings for a package of young players and a pick.
Red Wings receive: Bryan Rust
Penguins receive: Jonatan Berggren, William Wallinder, 2026 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
“The Red Wings need to take some swings if they’re going to snap their nine-year playoff drought. Getting involved in the Karlsson sweepstakes would make sense, but if they can’t work out a deal, Rust would be a nice consolation prize. The Pontiac, Michigan, native would provide the Red Wings with the additional top-six winger they’re lacking, giving them a legitimately deep crop of forwards. Detroit’s farm system is rich enough that it should be OK parting with a first-round pick for immediate help. Rust, 33, is under contract for three more years at $5.125 million annually,” Wegman said.
“Even if this first-round pick transfers to 2027, it could be decently high if the Red Wings continue on their mediocre trajectory. Berggren is also an intriguing young player who could benefit from the increased playing time he’d likely receive for the rebuilding Penguins. Wallinder, the No. 32 pick in 2020, has yet to crack the NHL, but there’s still hope for the 6-foot-4 defenseman,” Wegman added.
The 33-year-old has three years remaining on the six-year, $30.75 million extension he signed with the Penguins back in 2022. It should also be noted that his full no-movement is no longer intact, putting the ball fully in Dubas’ court.
Moving Rust would take a king’s ransom
Of all the Pittsburgh Penguins that have floated around the rumor mill, Bryan Rust feels like the least likely to actually be moved out of town.
While he doesn’t hold the protection anymore, Rust has been adamant about his desire to finish his career in Pittsburgh. Kyle Dubas can do whatever he wants, though it’s expected that he’ll give the two-time Stanley Cup champion the respect of running any potential trade by him.
Not to mention how much Dubas and the Penguins still value Rust, who just racked up a career-high 65 points (31 goals, 34 assists) in 71 games. Wegman’s proposal would be a solid haul for the Pens, but from what we’ve seen and heard so far, they’re shooting for a home run and nothing less.
