The one Penguins player Kyle Dubas absolutely can't afford to move, per NHL insider
Photo credit: Edit from The Hockey News
NHL insider Dave Molinari believes that no matter where the Penguins are in the standings, Bryan Rust is simply too valuable for the team to move.
Bryan Rust showed everyone once again why he's one of the Pittsburgh Penguins' most important players.
And according to NHL insider Dave Molinari, that's exactly why the Penguins can't ever consider moving him, no matter where they sit in the standings.
"That kind of mindset can be contagious, which is one of the reasons GM Kyle Dubas was wise to not auction him off when some suggested that the assets Rust would bring in a trade could facilitate the Penguins' ongoing retooling.
And why Dubas shouldn't consider doing it anytime soon."
- Dave Molinari
And why Dubas shouldn't consider doing it anytime soon."
- Dave Molinari
What Bryan Rust did vs. Columbus to prove he belongs
Rust's night in Columbus was the perfect example of this. Early in the second period, he collided hard with his teammate Evgeni Malkin, a hit that sent Rust straight to the locker room.
Minutes later, he was crushed again when Zach Werenski drove him right into the post. Most players wouldn't have returned, but Rust did, not once, but twice.
And the moment the third period began, Rust scored just 13 seconds in, jump-starting the Penguins' comeback from being down 3-1.
It was the type of response that has defined his entire career, where he has always competed, battled, and delivered when his team needs him most.
This is exactly why Molinari believes Rust is an untouchable. Rust's value stretches far beyond his goals or his special-teams work. He's the Penguins' tone-setter, a player younger teammates can actually follow and learn from.
Why Kyle Dubas needs to hold on to Bryan Rust
His versatility, his pace, and his willingness to empty the tank every shift make him impossible to replace, so Kyle Dubas needs to hold on tight to him.
Dubas may get trade calls on Rust because every contender wants a forward like him, but the Penguins don't have another Rust, and losing him would remove one of the few players who consistently pulls them into the fight each and every night.
For Pittsburgh, keeping Rust isn't just smart, it's essential to any hope of staying competitive down the road.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
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