“The expectations are we have what it takes to win games,” Sullivan said. Rakell is designated to long-term injured reserve and is not eligible to rejoin the NHL roster until Saturday. At the moment, Drew O’Connor, typically a bottom-six forward, and Valtteri Puustinen, recently recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL), are stationed as the first- and second-line right wingers. His absence, coupled with an undisclosed injury that has sidelined fellow top-six forward Rickard Rakell for the past nine games, has cratered the team’s depth on the right wing. In 22 games, Rust has scored 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) while averaging 18:53 of ice time per contest. Rust, typically deployed on the right wing of the team’s top line, was injured during a 3-1 road loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday and missed Friday’s 3-1 road loss to the Florida Panthers.Ī right-handed shot, Rust has been one of the team’s most consistent offensive threats this season. NHL Power Rankings: A new No.Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust will be sidelined on a “week-to-week” basis because of an undisclosed injury.Ĭoach Mike Sullivan announced Rust’s status after a practice session in Cranberry on Monday.The Penguins are, though, certainly well within the realm of a precarious spot. If this makes the Penguins’ current situation seem dire, well … that might be too strong of a word. That’s 46 goals, compared to 19 from every other forward. He has 10 goals, joining Malkin and Guentzel, and Crosby has scored 16. The Penguins were in trouble with scoring depth before Rust went down. He was demoted to the third line in the Penguins’ loss to the Lightning in Tampa on Wednesday. Reilly Smith, one of Dubas’ big offseason acquisitions, had scored all six of his goals in four games and was without a tally in his past 15 games. Rickard Rakell, who is out with an injury but should return this month, did not score a goal when he went down. He’d probably want a player that fits into his long-term vision of the Penguins, and nobody knows but Dubas what that vision includes.Īlso, an argument could be made the Penguins needed a top-six winger before Rust’s injury. But top-six forwards are costly, the Penguins lack top prospects to entice potential trade partners and Dubas isn’t likely to give up what he does have in the system on just a replacement for Rust. General manager Kyle Dubas probably will look to use that space on a winger who can potentially help. The Penguins will gain cap relief if Rust is placed on LTIR, but that hasn’t happened as of Monday. There might not be many externally given the uniqueness of Rust’s skill set.

Rob Rossi, Penguins senior writer Who are replacement options? So if not indispensable, he might be irreplaceable - at least with one player.Īnd that player would probably have to come from outside the organization. He can score goals and has a history of scoring big ones, but he’s also able to play a role - like, best player on a third line - if needed. He is a penalty killer and a power-play option. Rust, however, provides a multitude of elements the Penguins cannot replace easily. Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are indispensable. A better question might be “Could the Penguins make a playoff run without Rust?” - and that answer, if not a hard “No,” is “Not likely.” Yes, but that has more to do with the state of the Eastern Conference, where every team can still realistically think about qualifying as a wild card. Can the Penguins make the Stanley Cup playoffs without Rust?

Rust has 10 goals and 20 points in 22 games this season and is part of arguably the NHL’s best line, as the trio of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Rust have thrived this season. The 31-year-old was off to arguably the finest start of his career. Rust was originally injured in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec.

Bryan rust