Many consider the first day of free agency somewhat underwhelming. Big names like Mitch Marner, Brock Boeser, Brad Marchand, and restricted free agent K’Andre Miller have either been re-signed by their current teams (Boeser and Marchand) or involved in trade deals (Marner and Miller). This leaves very few high-profile free agents available, aside from Nikolaj Ehlers.
So, are teams running out of options? Enter the Pittsburgh Penguins. They have several intriguing "backup" options to maintain competitive pressure, including wingers Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, and defenseman Erik Karlsson, all reportedly available via trade, according to Penguins’ GM and President of Hockey Operations, Kyle Dubas.
Bryan Rust stands out as a particularly attractive trade target. At 33, Rust just finished a career-best season with 31 goals and 65 points in 71 games. His contract has three years remaining with a reasonable cap hit of $5.125 million, making him a cost-effective asset compared to players like Boeser, who commands $7.25 million over seven years. Rust also brings valuable veteran leadership and clutch performance to the locker room.
The Penguins value Rust highly and are intent on competing aggressively. Dubas emphasized that any trade for Rust would need to be impressive in terms of return to help Pittsburgh remain competitive. He acknowledged that while there’s significant interest in Rust, the cost will be steep, potentially involving overpayment from desperate teams.
Three teams, the Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Edmonton Oilers, are reportedly interested in Rust, especially if they miss out on other free agents. What trades might the Penguins expect from these teams?
Buffalo Sabres:
- To Buffalo: RW Bryan Rust
- To Pittsburgh: RW Isaac Rozen, 2026 first-round pick, 2027 third-round pick
Buffalo would likely have to offer a first-round pick and top prospects like Isaac Rozen, a promising 22-year-old winger with great scoring potential, even though he has limited NHL experience. This would be a premium offer, but probably the only kind Dubas would consider.
Columbus Blue Jackets:
- To Columbus: RW Bryan Rust
- To Pittsburgh: RW Yegor Chinakhov, LD Stanislav Svozil, 2027 first-round pick
Columbus could offer a later first-round pick combined with young NHL players like Chinakhov and a defensive prospect in Svozil. Chinakhov, 24, showed promise before injury limited his play, while Svozil is a developing defenseman who could fill a needed role for Pittsburgh.
Edmonton Oilers:
- To Edmonton: RW Bryan Rust, 2026 fourth-round pick
- To Pittsburgh: C Matt Savoie, 2027 first-round pick
The Oilers reportedly have interest in Rust, with Matt Savoie as a potential asset in return. Savoie has strong AHL stats and is known for his skating and shot, but his smaller stature makes him less highly coveted than some prospects in other systems. The Oilers are in win-now mode alongside Connor McDavid and might pay a premium to strengthen their roster with Rust.
Overall, the Penguins are in a strong negotiating position and will demand high-value returns for Rust, reflecting their urgency to remain competitive.
Fan Take: This situation highlights how competitive and strategic NHL trades can be during free agency, especially for teams like Pittsburgh aiming to rebuild and contend simultaneously. For hockey fans, these potential moves could shake up team dynamics and playoff races in exciting ways, proving that the trade market can be just as thrilling as free agency signings.
