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Bryan Rust's telling quote puts a new spotlight on Stuart Skinner
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Bryan Rust just said what Penguins fans have been hoping to see, Stuart Skinner is settling in fast.
When a veteran like Rust talks about "everybody" loving a new guy, that's a room speaking, not a soundbite.
Skinner's been all smiles, but the work part matters more than the grin.
The Penguins have needed calm between the pipes, and lately it's looked a lot calmer.
Rust's praise hits different because it's about the daily stuff, showing up, competing, being a good teammate.
"Immediately everybody loved him. Comes in here, works hard, has a huge smile on his face. To see him continue to keep getting better and better and play awesome games for us, it's cool."
- Bryan Rust
- Bryan Rust
Skinner didn't arrive with a quiet backstory, he arrived with a loud one.
He was acquired by Pittsburgh on December 12, 2025, and the timing mattered with the season moving fast.
Since then, the results have started to match the vibe.
Bryan Rust sees Stuart Skinner growing
And yeah, the fan side of me is still a little guarded, because we've been burned by "fixes" before.
But the way Rust frames it, "keeps getting better," that's the key.
Goalies don't usually "fit in" overnight, the net is too lonely for that.
Yet Skinner's confidence shows up in how the Penguins defend, fewer panic touches, cleaner clears.
It also changes how the blue line gaps up, because they trust the next save.
As of Wednesday, Skinner is credited with 16 wins this season.
If he keeps stacking those "awesome games," Pittsburgh's whole ceiling shifts before the stretch run.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
A clear winner has finally emerged in the Skinner-Jarry trade and it changed everything
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JANVIER 22|192 ANSWERS Bryan Rust's telling quote puts a new spotlight on Stuart Skinner Should the Pittsburgh Penguins fully ride Stuart Skinner as the clear starter? | ||
| Yes | 166 | 86.5 % |
| No | 26 | 13.5 % |
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