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Former Penguin Jake Guentzel gives Bryan Rust an unexpected compliment after he passes impressive milestone


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Jack Sutherland
December 23, 2025  (6:32 PM)
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Lightning forward Jake Guentzel
Photo credit: Tampa Bay times

Ex-Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel, now with the Tampa Bay Lightning, gave his former teammate Bryan Rust an unexpected compliment after he recently passed an impressive milestone.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are likely on the verge of a difficult rebuilding process, while at the same time, the Tampa Bay Lightning still have realistic championship aspirations.
Ex-Penguins forward Jake Guentzel is now a part of the Lightning after already helped lead Pittsburgh to Stanley Cup glory, as he signed a massive deal as a UFA in the summer of 2024.
It also wasn't log ago that current Penguins forward and ex-Guentzel teammate Bryan Rust passed Guentzel for 11th all time in total Penguins scoring with 467 points.
Guentzel is aware of this, and gave Rust a compliment by calling him a great player and also saying he doesn't get enough credit.
There's a guy that doesn't get as much credit as he deserves... I love Rusty. I think he's an unbelievable player. - Jake Guentzel
So far this year, Rust has 29 points (12G, 17A), and Guentzel has 38 points (17G, 21A) in his second year in a Lightning sweater.

Jake Guentzel Played Several Years With The Penguins

Guentzel was taken by the Penguins with the 77th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, and he would later help them repeat as Stanley Cup champions in 2017 in what was his rookie year.
He would play in Pittsburgh for the next several years before he was traded to the divisional foe Carolina Hurricanes in 2024.
Guentzel then signed a seven year contract to join the Bolts in the summer of 2024.
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Former Penguin Jake Guentzel gives Bryan Rust an unexpected compliment after he passes impressive milestone

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