NHLTR Mock Trade: Pittsburgh Penguins Deal Bryan Rust to Detroit Red Wings

The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to be a team to watch this offseason as Kyle Dubas is far from finished on the trade market. Rumors continue to swirl when it comes to some of the Penguins' veterans, as Dubas is looking to get younger and start to transition out of the long-time core in Pittsburgh.

Bryan Rust is among the Penguins trade candidates, and out of all of them, appears to be the most likely to be moved ahead of the start of next season.

Rust, 33, has three years left on his deal at $5.1 million AAV, and does not hold any trade protection on his contract. Rust scored 31 goals and 65 points in 71 games, so you can't blame Dubas for holding fort on the steep asking price for his veteran winger. Insert the Detroit Red Wings. 

Rust is a native of Pontiac, Michigan, and a lot of times when  long-time vets get moved out for a rebuild, the team tries to do right by the player, which Dubas has done many times, and moving Rust 'back home' seems quite feasible.

NHLTR Mock Trade: Penguins trade Rust to the Red Wings for Carter Mazur, Ondrej Becher, and a 2026 second-round pick.

It will hard to get a first-rounder for Rust, considering his age, but if the Penguins receive two solid prospects in Mazur and Becher, Dubas could settle for a second rounder. With three years left on his deal, this is far from a 'rental' situation for any team acquiring Rust.

The Red Wings have loads of cap space to add Rust without having to worry about moving bodies off their NHL roster, meanwhile the Penguins would be landing two young forwards who are creeping closer to making a name for themselves in the NHL.

Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images