Rust steadies Pittsburgh’s top-six with veteran grit and shooting touch; his two-way game keeps him as a focal trade chip, though PIT’s willingness to move him hinges on leverage and return quality. If a deal happens, it would reshuffle scoring depth and power-play units, elevating teammates stepping up to fill the gap.

Rust anchors a line with veteran reliability, and his role could be amplified if Penguins lean into the new system's pressure and uptime. His consistency provides a stable fantasy baseline in an evolving lineup.

Bryan Rust also had a strong season, scoring 31 goals and 34 assists, which places him in the spotlight for potential trades as the Penguins seek to rebuild.

Bryan Rust's role has become increasingly scrutinized as the Penguins navigate their rebuild. As a key forward, he might be considered expendable if the right trade offers arise, especially as the team looks to bolster its prospect pool and cap flexibility.

Bryan Rust is expected to remain with the Penguins, having three years left on his contract at $5.125 million. His consistency and experience are crucial as the team navigates potential trades with star players like Rakell and Karlsson.