After suffering a first-round loss in Game 7 to the New York Rangers, the Pittsburgh Penguins went straight to work. With some big names headed to UFA, the team locked up one of those. Winger Bryan Rust has officially signed an extension to remain a Pittsburgh Penguin for the foreseeable future.
Hearing #LetsGoPens and Bryan Rust have agreed to terms on a 6-year extension worth in the neighborhood of $5.2 million per year. Not signed yet.
First to report deal was close: @DarrenDreger.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 22, 2022
Bryan Rust Signs Extension
While being one of the more prominent names in Pittsburgh to be a UFA, Bryan Rust is staying in the black and gold. Rust signed a six-year deal with an AAV right around $5.2 million. It’s enormous for the Penguins to lock up Rust, as he is an impact player in the top six. The contract will take Rust until he turns 36 years of age.
Bryan Rust is a homegrown talent. In 2010, with the 80th overall pick, the Penguins selected Bryan Rust out of the University of Notre Dame. The two way forward finished his college career with a plus-53 and had a plus-25 rating for his junior season.
Bryan Rust would play in the Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate in 2013-2014 suiting up in two games. Rust would follow that up with 45 games before making his NHL debut. Rust would make his Penguins debut on December 13, 2014, and would end up scoring his first NHL goal.
It’s been all uphill from there for Bryan Rust. Rust is now part of the core that has been formed in Pittsburgh. Playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin has helped him along his way. Bryan Rust is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Is Rust Worth It?
Having Bryan Rust signed is worth the deal. He is a homegrown talent that has improved his game each year. Coming into this offseason, Rust had a career year for himself. In 60 games played, Rust finished with 24 goals, 34 assists, and 58 points. His prior highest point total was in 2019-2020, where he totalled 56 points.
Rust also performs in the playoffs. In 79 career playoff games, Rust has tallied 21 goals, 14 assists, and 35 points. Rust also added 8 points this past postseason and was a large part of the Penguins’ scoring attack.
Bryan Rust is a Penguin into his mid 30’s and will continue to be a part of the core they already have.
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