On Sunday, the Penguins toppled the first of many offseason dominoes after signing Bryan Rust to a six-year extension worth $30 million. This gave fans an early glimmer of hope that the front office will focus on bringing back most, if not all, of last year’s staff.
The 30-year-old winger was celebrating his son’s first birthday when he got word that he will stay in Pittsburgh long-term and he told reporters during a Zoom session yesterday that talks between him and general manager Ron Hextall happened on Friday and that he knew things were close, but he didn’t expect his extension to come during the time of celebration.
Rust was rumored to be a free agent target by multiple teams based off his success, but he chose to take less money on a longer contract just to stay in Pittsburgh. When asked if testing free agency was an option for him, Rust said it was a possibility.
The extension will keep Rust in Pittsburgh until he is 36-years-old, meaning he will spend the most, if not the entirety, of his career in the Steel City. He said there’s a lot of pride knowing that he’s rooted in Pittsburgh.
He also said that he’s comfortable staying in Pittsburgh.
As expected, Rust was asked if he would want the Penguins to reach offers with Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, to which he said he would like to keep the guys together, but it depends on “how the summer goes.”
Hextall said, following the signing, that Rust exemplifies what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin and he commented on how versatile he’s become since joining the team. He adds “his leadership quantities and experience as a two-time Stanley Cup champion is an important piece of the team.”
Hextall will speak to the media at 3 p.m. today.
Last season, Rust finished third on the team in goals with 24 and fourth in assists with 34.
NHL free agency is scheduled to begin on July 13.
NHL SCOREBOARD:
TAMPA BAY – 5 FLORIDA – 1 (TB LEADS 3-0)
NEW YORK – 3 CAROLINA – 1 (CAR LEADS 2-1)
EDMONTON – 4 CALGARY – 1 (EDM LEADS 2-1)
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