Bryan Rust News

Rust is not expected to be in the lineup in Minnesota on Monday, so look for Zach Aston-Reese to start on the top-line with Sidney Crosby.

Rust has become a valuable middle-6 winger for the Penguins, scoring 13 goals with 25 assists (38 points) in 69 games this past season. Rust occasionally sees time on a line with Evgeni Malkin but is equally effective in a checking-line role. He grades out as the No.52 ranked RW in hockey according to Corsica Player Ratings.

Rust has missed the last two games with a concussion that he sustained in Philadelphia last Wednesday. Rust is expected to replace Josh Jooris on the Penguins fourth line and comes into tonight with 33 points (10G / 23A) in 57 games this season.

Rust has been out since December 27th but he is expected to replace Ryan Reaves in the lineup on Tuesday. Rust collected four goals and 14 assists (18 points) in 38 games before getting hurt.

Rust left Wednesday’s game with an upper-body injury and the Penguins announced that he will be out “longer term.” The Penguins will likely have to dig into their farm system to find some forward depth with Rust out.

Rust departed the game after recording an assist in 10:06 TOI and did not return. The Penguins did not provide and update on Rust’s status so consider him questionable for Friday’s game in Carolina.

Rust has missed the last 11 games with an arm injury and will miss at least four games as he stays back in Pittsburgh while the team travels out west. He resumed skating last Friday, so monitor his status leading up to next Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia.

Rust has been skating on his own, but finally got back into practice on Wednesday. With Sidney Crosby likely out of the season opener with a concussion, the Penguins could use Rust back in the lineup, but that seems unlikely at this point. Consider him day-to-day.

Rust, 24, had a nice playoff run last year picking up nine points (6G / 3A) in 23 games on Evgeni Malkin’s wing. With Rust unlikely available for the start of the season, that leaves the door open for Scott Wilson to start the year with Malkin.

With Sidney Crosby likely unavailable for Tuesday’s game, the Penguins gave recalled Rust from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to serve as an extra forward. Rust has oe goal and three assists in 10 games with WBS this season. Unless someone in addition to Crosby doesn’t play, Rust isn’t expected to be in the lineup.

Rust left Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury and it will keep him sidelined for a couple of weeks. Beau Bennett is nearing a return and could take Rust’s spot in the lineup on Wednesday.

Rust, 23, has recorded one assist in two games this season for WBS. Rust scored his first NHL goal on Dec. 15, 2014 versus Tampa Bay and finished with two points (1G / 1A) in 14 games with Pittsburgh last season. Rust could make his season debut tonight with Beau Bennett out.

Rust, 22, has a goal and one assist in 14 games with the Penguins this season. In his time with WBS, he has registered 10 goals and five assists in 28 games. He skated on the Penguins fourth line in practice on Monday, so there is a chance he does not play on Tuesday.