NHL Trade Rumors: 3 Teams Linked to Acquiring Penguins' Bryan Rust

Monday, July 07, 2025

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been hearing from teams around the league on several of their players. The Penguins are one of the only teams trying to get younger and move out salary, and forward Bryan Rust has become a prime trade candidate for president Kyle Dubas to cash in on.

Rust, 33, has three years left on his contract at $5.1 million AAV, and does not hold any trade protection on his deal now that July 1 has passed. Rust has been a consistent scorer, who has played among the Penguins' top six for multiple years, and with his bulldog mentality on the forecheck, he's an appealing player to playoff bound teams.

Here's three teams to keep an eye on as trade talks heat up around Rust:

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs are trying to upgrade their top six and could give the Penguins what they want in a package for Rust. Dubas knows the farm system like the back of his hand and Dennis Hildeby continues to be a goaltender on Pittsburgh's radar. Nick Robertson could also be included, and the same can be said for Calle Jarnkrok. 

Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings know Rust wouldn't mind playing in Detroit, so there's interest there to make a deal happen. Steve Yzerman heard from captain Dylan Larkin after last season's trade deadline on how the team didn't make any big-time moves to help out their roster, so now it's up to Yzerman to improve the hockey club heading into next season. The Red Wings have a flurry of NHL ready talent, and the Penguins could see a fit with a prospect heavy proposal.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals know Rust very well from their long-time rivalry, but if they are going to make a move with the inter-divisional Penguins, it's going to cost them a premium. Of the three linked teams, the Caps have the least likeliest chance, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. Pittsburgh will ask for Ryan Leonard and be laughed at, but they do have several other NHL ready prospects who could appeal to Dubas and company.

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