Bryan Rust Linked to Two Canadian Teams as Trade Rumors Heat Up

The Pittsburgh Penguins are likely to make one or two more deals this offseason as their rebuild continues. With the majority of top-shelf free agents under contract, teams are turning towards the trade market for the building blocks they require.

Pittsburgh possesses some pieces who can generate interest, including Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust.

Of the three, Bryan Rust is likely the most valuable trade commodity. While he is a leader in the Penguins' dressing room and one of Sidney Crosby's go-to linemates, he will be 33 years old this season and no longer has protection in his contract.

There are two Canadian teams that he would be a good fit for: the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames.

Toronto lost Mitch Marner in free agency and has sought to fill the gap with a quantity-over-quality approach. They still lack a top-six winger with a pedigree, and Rust fits the bill.

Less skilled than Marner, Rust does have postseason experience and a pattern of delivering in big moments, something the Maple Leafs are in dire need of. They'd have to navigate minimal cap space, but a trade is feasible.

Calgary did exceed expectations last season with strong defense and goaltending, but their offense lagged behind.

With $15 million of cap space available and only one key RFA to re-sign, the Flames have room to add a goal-scorer like Rust to help push them into playoff contention.