Penguins Lose Bryan Rust, Complicating Possible Oilers Trade Pitch

The timing matters because Rust is reportedly one of the veterans Pittsburgh is willing to move. The Penguins are making older forwards available, with Rust and Rickard Rakell among the names most likely to go, as the team looks to get younger. There’s been no direct link between Edmonton and Pittsburgh, but as the season rolls along and the Oilers look for ways to potentially upgrade their top six, Rust might have been an option.

For a contender, Rust offers a proven scoring track record, and Edmonton is always looking for ways to improve their depth. In return, Pittsburgh would likely have interest in someone like Isaac Howard, one of the few young, cheap forwards in the Oilers’ system. Howard on Edmonton’s fourth line is an unnatural slot, but the Oilers have few other young forwards to offer. The money also doesn’t really work unless the Penguins retain salary or the Oilers throw in another piece.

Oilers Likely Won’t Pursue a Rust Trade

None of that might matter. If Rust’s injury is serious, the Oilers will likely consider other options. While a six-week absence isn’t prohibitive of a trade from happening before the deadline, the Oilers will want to know that they’re getting the best possible upgrade if they make a trade for a top-six winger. The time Rust misses, the more the Oilers might be uncertain about the impact he could make.

Again, there are no trade talks linking Rust to the 7-1-1 Oilers. He’s just a name that has been loosely connected to them in the past.