Latest NHL Insider Report Sees Penguins Trading These Two Star Players Before Trade Deadline

The Pittsburgh Penguins recently activated forward Bryan Rust off of Injured Reserve, and he played in the matchup in the Big Apple against the New York Rangers.

The return of Rust is quite a boost to the Penguins, which began the year with a record of 2-1, and he's going to slot into the top unit.

Rust, 33, missed much of the preseason with a lower-body injury but comes back after a 31-goal, 65-point season.

His $5.25 million cap hit until 2028 makes him both cheap and effective, which has led to much of the trade speculation.

Despite this speculation, however, the word among insiders like Josh Yohe is that Rust won't be going anywhere. The activity, instead, may center on bigger names.

Yohe suggested that Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson could indeed be traded by the deadline, as general manager Kyle Dubas is in a position to rebuild the roster's core with Sidney Crosby and youth.

Rust's consistency, leadership, and chemistry with Crosby make him too valuable to be traded unless a team is going to pay steeply, such as a first-round pick in addition to a franchise forward.

And if Rust maintains the course and keeps playing well, this price will grow even higher.

With the trade deadline looming large, all attention will be focused on how Dubas navigates the Karlsson and Rakell trade rumors.

But at this juncture, it would appear that Rust is still going to be in the picture in Pittsburgh, and back where he should be, on Crosby's wing and the center of the Penguins' future. Fans can breathe a little easier knowing this.