Penguins winger Bryan Rust surprised many in the hockey world by getting to the end of the 2021-22 season as a prospective free agent but then signing a deal to stay in Pittsburgh before testing the waters.
On Monday, Rust joined TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden on his 105.9 The X radio show to discuss his decision to stay with the Penguins for a six-year/$30.75 million contract before going on the open market.
On if he left money on the table per year to stay in Pittsburgh: “We were looking for more of a total dollar value that we were comfortable with. I don’t know if there was some leftover or not. But I think the total dollars that we got in that deal were fair and it was good. And we are very happy with it.”
On wanting to stay in Pittsburgh: “Anytime you get to play with a guy like (Sidney Crosby) … but not just that. The organization as a whole. It’s tough to leave a place like this. This place treats players and staff very well.
I think we know that. My family knew that. And it was definitely important for us to be somewhere comfortable. And Pittsburgh is a pretty darn good organization.”
On the knee surgery he had after the season: “It’s fairly minor. Something that has been nagging me. Something that needs to get cleaned up a little bit. And it was.
I’m on the mend. It should be resolved fairly quickly and I should be good to go (at) 100% long before training camp.”
On continuing to play with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel: “It’s awesome playing with two players like that. Just go out there and use my speed to cause turnovers. Get into some open space. And when there are plays to be made, make the plays.
We’ve done a pretty good job of that, and hopefully, we can keep that going into the future.”
On hoping to play his whole career with one team: “In the world of sports, of hockey, it is a rare occurrence for somebody to spend the entirety of their career with one organization. They eventually need a change of scenery, or things fizzle out, or there are some butting heads.
For me to be fortunate enough — up to this point — to not have that occur, and for the (duration) of this contact, I take a lot of pride in that. It shows that I am continuing to work and prove my value and be a good character player and teammate. And be coachable, and be somebody that this organization wants to have around.”
Will Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin stay too?: “I love those guys. They’ve become good friends of mine over the past seven or eight years. We would love to have them back.
Those are guys we would love to have around. They are world-class players. They have been faces of this organization for a long time … hopefully there is a deal to be made because those guys are just going to help us.”
In this week’s hockey podcast, Tim Benz and Brian Metzer discuss the NHL playoffs, Bryan Rust’s new contract, and the futures of Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
Listen: Tim Benz and Brian Metzer talk NHL playoffs and Bryan Rust’s new contract
