Penguins forward Bryan Rust understands the need to be a leader
Bryan Rust is no stranger to adversity.
After all, he is a Detroit Lions fan.
That makes Thanksgiving something of a double-edged sword of emotions for him given that franchise’s futility — its last championship came in 1957 — during Rust’s 32 years on earth.
“Thanksgiving is awesome in the fact that the Lions are playing,” the Bloomfield, Mich., native said. “The Lions don’t win very often on Thanksgiving. So that might be the unfortunate part. But it’s a fun tradition in our household to — in years past, hope for a decent Lions performance — but as of the last few years, hope for a win and build towards something great.”
The Lions claimed a somewhat anxious 23-20 home win against the Chicago Bears on Thursday in their annual holiday game — snapping a seven-game losing streak on Thanksgiving — and offered some cheer to Rust.
As for the team that employs him, Rust and the Pittsburgh Penguins have been limited in what they can feel good about this season.
A member of the franchise’s Stanley Cup championship teams in 2016 and 2017, Rust is in slightly uncharted waters as the Penguins have stumbled out of the gate with an 8-12-4 record and 20 points, figures that have them stationed in last place of the Metropolitan Division.
The Penguins never have been this bad — at least by record — to open a season during Rust’s 11 seasons on the franchise’s NHL roster.
“It is strange,” Rust said after practice Thursday in Cranberry. “And it is frustrating. Everybody in here knows we’ve got better. We need to show it. It’s been an unfortunate first chunk of the season. Lucky for us, if we make a big run and put together some really good hockey, we can still put ourselves in it. You saw with (the Edmonton Oilers) last year. They were in a very similar position. Everybody counted them out and told them they (stunk), and they went to the (Stanley) Cup Final.
“Our mindset is game-by-game get better, win games, learn from the wins but keep trying to keep getting better every day. Now, we’re in a position where we’ve got to stack wins together.”
Rust did his part in that pursuit during a 5-4 home win against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. He scored two goals — including the winner — and recorded an assist.
Pittsburgh goal!
Scored by Bryan Rust with 02:19 remaining in the 1st period.
Assisted by Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson.
Pittsburgh: 4
Vancouver: 1#VANvsPIT #LetsGoPens #Canucks pic.twitter.com/JesEjRxa9o— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) November 28, 2024
Beyond helping generate offense, Rust might have offered a more profound contribution.
At least that’s what one of his teammates suggested.
“He’s a vocal leader,” defenseman Marcus Pettersson said. “He’s a guy that gets us going if things aren’t going the right way, just with his play and with this voice. Always encouraging.
“Especially with some of the (challenging) moments that we’ve been through this season, it’s kind of easy to get quiet and ‘Oh, here we go again.’ But he’s a guy that gets us right back on track with his play and his voice.”
Rust is fairly modest when the subject of being a leader is brought up. But he acknowledges the need for that attribute given the Penguins’ struggles.
“That’s just the position that I’m in being a long-tenured veteran on this team,” Rust said. “Being around this room and this organization for as long as I have, knowing the expectations and the culture around here … regardless of whatever is going on, I take that upon myself to be more of an active leader.”
How does leading manifest itself for Rust?
“It’s kind of celebrating the little things, whether it’s blocked shots or good wall plays, good positioning,” Rust said. “I like to be the first guy there to give them a tap or a fist bump when those plays are made. I like to think I try to lead by example, too, with how hard I play, trying to play the right way.”
The team’s captain, who has been doing it the right way for two decades, suggests Rust is going about things correctly.
“He’s pretty consistent as far as his work ethic,” forward Sidney Crosby said. “As far as being vocal, he brings energy during the game. That’s reflective of his play and just the way he is, game to game. I don’t think that’s anything that has necessarily changed. When you’re in a tough stint, it’s important to have that and to continue that. He’s done that for us.”
Another thing Rust has done recently is serve as an alternate captain with defenseman Kris Letang sidelined for three games by an illness.
“Obviously, it’s an honor,” Rust said. “I’ve had it once when three or four guys were out. … It’s cool. Definitely an honor. And I don’t take responsibilities like that lightly.”
Part of those responsibilities involves setting an example to the handful of younger players the Penguins have had in the lineup this season.
Once upon a time, Rust was one of those young guys looking to a veteran for such an example.
“It’s hard not to put the spotlight on (former forward) Matt Cullen there,” Rust said. “A guy that had been around the block, knew how to win, knew how to play (in all) situations. Knew how to play 20 minutes a night, knew how to play eight minutes a night. Knew how to get it done on the power play, the penalty kill. And he knew the nuances of being an NHLer, the good, the bad, the ugly. The ups and downs of the roller coaster of a season.
“If guys needed a talk, he gave them a talk. If guys needed tap, he gave them a tap. You can see how long he played. That’s a testament to how well he understood all those things.”
Rust seems to understand the need to be a leader, either through actions or words, given the adversity his team has faced.
“He’s one of the guys that’s more vocal,” Pettersson said. “There’s different kind of leadership out there. … (Rust), on the bench, if we get stressed … he kind of settles us down. He raises his voice and says, ‘We’re all right. Just keep pushing.’
“That’s just so important.”
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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