CRANBERRY TWP. (93.7 The Fan) – It's a romantic thought to ask or expect a player to take a 'hometown discount'. The general thought is 'they make so much money, why not take less to stay here'?
Bryan Rust has worked his way up from not being on the radar for any professional teams to, now at 30-years-old, ready for that one family altering contract. Why shouldn't you reap the rewards of your hard work?
"You would like to maximize everything," Rust said. "I think for me I've gotten to the point I feel like I've got what I've earned and what I'm worth. I feel like I've played to a higher level than what my contract said the last few years. I think moving forward, getting something that is fair & I feel like can benefit me & my family moving forward."
Let's look at his numbers since signing a four-year, $14 million contract starting the 2018 season:
2018-19 18 goals 17 assists 35 points (72 games)
2019-20 27 goals 29 assists 56 points (55 games)
2020-21 22 goals 20 assists 42 points (56 games)
2021-22 24 goals 34 assists 58 points (60 games)
His worth is more than these numbers as his head coach and several teammates point out.
"Rusty has been a really valuable member of our team in his time here," said Pens Head Coach Mike Sullivan. "He's a two-time Stanley Cup champion. He's one of our most versatile players. We play him in all the situations."
"I think he's really evolved in his leadership skills. He has helped build the culture of excellence, he is one of those guys. He works extremely hard. He trains hard. His practice habits are off the charts. He plays the game the right way."
"He's a very good player, had a terrific year and is a valuable part of this organization."
"I think it's just his all-around game," said Pens Captain Sidney Crosby. "He's somebody that can be used in every single situation. He showed he can score, he can play in every situation. The experience that he's gathered now. He's a guy that's played in a lot of big games and shown he can come up big."
"He's just an all-around player and somebody who's improved in every area really since he got in the league."
That is echoed by someone who was his teammate from much younger days.
"He's a guy you always want around," said Pens forward Jason Zucker. "He's one of those guys that helps a team in every way-off ice, on ice."
"His story is incredible. In juniors, he was our penalty-kill, third/fourth line guy. He always worked hard. He was always the first one there, last to leave type person."
"I've told him his entire career he has zero skill. Zero talent and he turned it around. It's impressive."
Obviously Zucker said 'zero talent' with a smile on his face, but you get the idea. In his first 55 games in the NHL, Rust had 13 points and was a minus two. It's true, if not the first, one of the first on the ice for every practice he's been healthy for as a Penguin.
"I would love to return to the team," Rust said. "I love it here. Pittsburgh is a place where I've been for a while. It's a place I've had a lot of memories in, started my family here. This place holds a special place in my heart. I'd like to make something work to come back here."
Like most of the other players, except seemingly for Kris Letang, he has yet to have conversations with Pens management about a new contract. Sportsnet in Canada ranks Rust as the seventh best overall free agent and suggests he could make $6.5 million a season.
That is well within the available money the Pens have to spend, especially if they don't sign Evgeni Malkin and/or Letang. Rust said he won't talk to either of them to see what they are thinking, he is just worried about making the best decision for himself and his family.
"I'm not looking to rob anyone," Rust said. "I just want what I deem is fair and a reasonable contract. I think, I hope, something is going to get worked out here."
