Taking stock of what could be brewing for the Penguins
At this dawn of a new week there’s only one (or two as Edmonton will hope) games left before summer. That means the time for the draft and free agency and the flurry of activity for roster movement via summer trades is drawing near. Let’s take stock of what is out there and might be of interest — or not — for the Penguins.
Pierre LeBrun: Plenty of teams are calling on Penguins forward Bryan Rust – TSN 1050
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 13, 2025
The “heart vs head” type of struggle that could play out with Bryan Rust will be a fascinating one this summer for the Penguins.
Rust wasn’t shy at the end of the season about his desire for staying in Pittsburgh.
Bryan Rust was asked if he has told Kyle Dubas he wants to remain with the Penguins going forward.
“Yeah. Yeah. And I’ll say it to you guys, too. I don’t want to leave here. This is home for me. This is where I intend to be. This is where I want to be.”
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) April 16, 2025
Those desires might not mean much, given Rust’s unusual contract clauses. It’s usually standard for the “UFA aged 4th to 6th best player on the team” to negotiate for a limited trade protection clause that might be between 8 -16 teams on a list to block. Rust’s contract signed in 2022 wasn’t like that, it was a little different. Rust was given a full no movement/no trade clause in years 1-3 of his six year extension, and then absolutely no contractual trade protection in years 4-6 of the deal.
Unfortunately for Rust, Year No. 4 for him starts this July 1 where all his protection vanishes.
That shifts the ball into Kyle Dubas’s court to decide where Rust has the most value, either by keeping a first line winger with leadership ability or by deciding the time is right to make a trade.
Rust, 33, isn’t getting any younger — but at the same time he is coming off his best individual NHL season by scoring 31 goals and 65 points. Age catches up to everyone, but there’s proof Rust’s game is as good as its ever been.
There’s a popular tweet with over 175,000 impressions that misleadingly infers the Penguins have Rust (and Rickard Rakell) shaded towards being goners and links them to LA. A better read of what actually was said by David Pagnotta:
“The Penguins may be looking to sell off other pieces outside of Erik Karlsson. Teams inquiring about Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell. Maybe LA re-engages with them now with Kenny Holland at the helm.” It’s all obvious speculation rather than sourced reporting on specific trade talks.
— ⱼₐₛ (@j_a155) June 15, 2025
The Pens should certainly be listening, there won’t be many sellers around the league this summer and players like Rust and Rakell are aging and at “sell high” types of points this summer. Hearing offers doesn’t lock them into absolutely having to make trades, but it’s worth finding out the worth on the market of these players, at the very least.
The inference to link the Kings and Penguins does make some logical sense. Dubas has said he wants NHL caliber talent whenever possible in these type of trades. That makes a 24-year old NHL caliber right handed defenseman that could be getting pushed out.
Elliotte Friedman: Kings defenseman Jordan Spence is a “name to keep an eye on”; Kings don’t feel they have room for Spence and Brandt Clarke on the right side; Clarke is not available – 32 Thoughts Podcast
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 15, 2025
Spence is a player looking to take a next step in his career. A team like the Pens could be the perfect place to give a bigger role.
Spence is interesting, young-ish 5’11 puck-mover who did the “excellent defensive results in a sheltered third-pair minutes” thing. Led Kings defenders in goal share and xGoal share and the entire league in xGoals Against per 60. Odd man out since Clarke’s ceiling is higher. https://t.co/EIPZHRgyJ0 pic.twitter.com/VYZtCOGV6D
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 15, 2025
Which circles back to the fairly unique “head vs heart” type of dilemma around Rust this summer that Dubas and the Pens will have to sort through.
On paper, Bryan Rust *is* exactly the player you should trade if you’re the Pens — 33-year-old winger who’s in demand — but I wonder if the sentimental value, value to the franchise, optics, ties to Crosby etc. make his price too high for it to make sense for the acquiring team
— Dan Hopper (@DanHoppOPS) June 15, 2025
For better or worse, it’s tough to see the Penguins only having replacements levels like Danton Heinen and rookies like Ville Koivunen to play with Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh is looking to get younger and looking to reload, but they aren’t in a position to completely tear down. Keeping at least one of Rust/Rakell (if not both) offer great value to the Pens in 2025-26 on the ice.
That’s more of the heart’s outlook when the head is pointing out that trading Rust for, say, Jordan Spence and a premium draft pick could help Pittsburgh down the line when Rust will age out. Finding the right balance between now and later is key. The decisions, planning and execution of moves (or staying put) will help shape the future of the Penguins in 2025 and possibly beyond.