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Pittsburgh Penguins sign Bryan Rust to four-year extension

By Dave Stevenson

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 03: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) skates with the puck during the second period. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 3-1 in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capitals on May 3, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 03: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) skates with the puck during the second period. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 3-1 in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capitals on May 3, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have locked up restricted free agent wing Bryan Rust for the next four seasons

The Pittsburgh Penguins offseason should be one with a few changes. One thing which will remain constant is the presence of wing Bryan Rust. The Penguins have announced they have signed the restricted free agent forward to a four-year deal worth $14 million. This gives him a cap hit of $3.5 million per season.

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Last season, Rust had a career year. He played in a career-best 69 games and put up career highs in assists (25) and points (38). Rust also scored 13 goals. 31 of those 38 points came at even strength, which is pretty good.

However, he has yet to find his spot on the power-play. Rust had just under 55 minutes of power-play time with just four power-play points. However, he did do well while killing penalties, as his 6.84 goals against per hour while shorthanded was the third lowest among Penguins forwards (minimum 90 minutes).

Rust has been a consistent playoff performer for the Penguins in the past, totaling 18 points in 46 playoff games while helping Pittsburgh win back-to-back Stanley Cups. However, he had just three points (all goals) during the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs in 12 games.

Ideally, you’d like to see more from someone who gets regular playing time with Sidney Crosby. But Rust has been a bit unlucky as far as injuries. His two-way play is very good, as his 5.99 percent five-on-five relative CorsiFor percentage led all Penguins forwards with at least 200 minutes played.

Next: NHL Free Agency Tracker

At worst, Rust has proven he’s a very capable top-six forward. $3.5 million is a slight overpay given his injury history and lack of production, but it’s reasonable and shouldn’t be an albatross. With the Rust signing, the Penguins have 19 players under contract with just over $5 million of cap space. This should let Pittsburgh explore trading one of their forwards, whether that be Phil Kessel, Carl Hagelin, or Conor Sheary.

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