Penguins A to Z: Bryan Rust keeps reaching new heights

With the Pittsburgh Penguins entering the offseason for a third consecutive year without a playoff appearance, TribLive will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 58 individuals signed to an NHL contract — including those whose deals do not begin until future seasons — with the organization.

Starting with Noel Acciari and going on through to Philip Tomasino (regrettably, there is no Z on the payroll), every player will be profiled in alphabetical order.

This series is scheduled to be published Mondays through Saturdays leading up until June 26, a day before the start of the NHL Draft. In the event of a transaction, that schedule will be altered as necessary.

(Note: All contract information courtesy of Puckpedia.)

Bryan Rust

Position: Right winger

Shoots: Right

Age: 33

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 198 pounds

2024-25 NHL statistics: 71 games, 65 points (31 goals, 34 assists), 19:45 of average ice time per contest

Contract: In the third year of a six-year contract with a salary cap hit of $5.125 million. Pending unrestricted free agent in 2028.

(This contract contains a no-movement clause for the first three years.)

Acquired: Third-round draft pick (No. 80 overall), June 26, 2010

This past season: As Bryan Rust continues to get deeper into his 30s, it has become fair to wonder when declining returns might begin given his age and his demanding style of play.

And considering he opened the 2024-25 campaign on injured reserve due to an undisclosed injury that sidelined him for two games, that curiosity was valid. And it was amplified by another five-game absence due to an unspecified ailment in late October and early November.

But once Rust got his body right, his impact on the team remained true.

Primarily aligned on the right wing of the top line with franchise Sidney Crosby, Rust offered the most productive season of his career.

Rust was particularly potent between Nov. 27 and Dec. 23, posting 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) over 13 games. And it wasn’t a coincidence that was arguably the best stretch of the Penguins’ mostly underwhelming season as they went 9-3-1 during that sequence.

Pittsburgh goal!

Scored by Bryan Rust with 03:53 remaining in the OT period.

Assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.

Nashville: 4
Pittsburgh: 5#PITvsNSH #Smashville #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/Fb7Igb2Dva

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) December 20, 2024

In addition to his reliable play in five-on-five situations, Rust was a stalwart on both special teams units. With the power play, he was third on the team with 18 points (five goals, 13 assists).

Power play goal for Pittsburgh!

Scored by Bryan Rust with 18:51 remaining in the 3rd period.

Assisted by Matt Grzelcyk and Michael Bunting.

Buffalo: 1
Pittsburgh: 4#PITvsBUF #SabreHood #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/HaWp3PoKXB

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) January 18, 2025

And on the penalty kill, he averaged 1:12 of short-handed ice time per contest.

Rust made a particularly strong surge once the calendar flipped to April. In his final seven games of the season, he scored 10 points (five goals, five assists).

Poignantly, he reached the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career during the regular season finale, a 5-2 home win against the Washington Capitals on April 17.

Pittsburgh goal!

Scored by Bryan Rust with 15:06 remaining in the 1st period.

Assisted by Ville Koivunen and Matt Grzelcyk.

Pittsburgh: 1
Washington: 1#WSHvsPIT #LetsGoPens #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/3vof5UwA7l

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) April 17, 2025

The future: Rumors are rampant among irresponsible media about Rust as his no-movement clause is about to expire on July 1.

During his season-ending media availability April 21, Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas lauded Rust as being someone who can be a leader for the presumed influx of younger teammates going into next season. At the same time, Dubas indicated if a lucrative trade offer was made, he would have to consider any options.

Provided Rust does return, it’s safe to assume he’ll return to his customary roles on the top line, the power play and penalty kill.

And even if he is approaching his mid-30s and doesn’t play a style that lends itself to self-preservation, Rust remains as reliable as any member of this team.

Even after 11 seasons with the Penguins, Rust keeps reaching new heights.