Red Wings Make Push for Penguins Forward

PITTSBURGH—With the NHL trade deadline days away, plenty of teams have contacted the Pittsburgh Penguins about several of their players. While Jake Guentzel and Reilly Smith will catch the most attention, multiple teams have expressed interest in Bryan Rust.

Elliotte Friedman previously reported that teams have contacted the Penguins about Rust, but there are no plans to move the veteran forward. With a full no-move clause, Rust will likely stay in Pittsburgh at least through the 2024-25 season.

Among those teams interested in Rust was the Detroit Red Wings. According to Josh Yohe of the Athletic, the Red Wings unsurprisingly made the most significant push.

“The Detroit Red Wings have shown the most interest in Rust, perhaps not surprisingly,” Yohe wrote. “Rust is a Michigan native, and the young Red Wings are on the verge of making their long-awaited return to the postseason.”

Yohe stated that it’s unlikely Rust is dealt before this upcoming deadline. If he sticks around the length of his contract is yet to be seen, however.

Rust is currently out with an upper-body injury but has returned to the skating on his own. The Penguins have liked what they’ve seen from Rust, not just this year but in his entire 10-year career.

In 42 games of the 2023-24 season, Rust has scored 18 goals and 18 assists for 36 points as one of the Penguins’ most productive forwards. Over his 547-game career, Rust has 162 goals, 190 assists, and 352 total points.