PHN Extra: Bryan Rust Report Card — Pens Swiss Army Knife

“I never saw that (expletive deleted) Bryan Rust at Notre Dame!”

You may be able to guess the “expletive deleted” from a former colleague who covered Rust at Norte Dame, but few would have guessed Rust’s growing offensive contribution to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Rust is listed at 5-foot-11, 192 pounds. The tale of the tape may be a slight exaggeration, but Rust’s season and moments exceeded expectations for a gritty bottom-six forward with more feet than hands.

Rust, 26, had something akin to a breakout season. In 69 games, Rust knocked 13 goals and 25 assists. He not only saw time on the fourth line, he saw significant time on the Penguins top line with Sidney Crosby, on the other top line with Evgeni Malkin, and on the third line with center Riley Sheahan. Rust played also played on the right or left wing, as needed.

He is the Penguins version of a Swiss Army knife.