A big trade between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings is reportedly brewing: Per insider
Photo credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
GM Steve Yzerman could improve the Detroit Red Wings' forward group by acquiring forward Bryan Rust from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a move that could position them for the playoffs.
The Detroit Red Wings franchise was shy of a wildcard spot in the playoffs last season. Todd McLellan may have helped change their fortunes towards the positive last season, but they're still missing pieces.
While the Red Wings rebuild is ongoing, unabated, the team needs to find win-now pieces as placeholders until players like Axel Sandin-Pellikka and
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard a ready to be promoted.
Bryan Rust is a former 65-point winger (31-34), and Adam Gretz of the Bleacher Report believes he's a solution for the Wings.
«For one, Detroit needs to do something significant this offseason. The Red Wings have been way too quiet for a team that should be desperate to make the playoffs, and could use Rust's two-way ability,» Gretz wrote.
Rust would be a game-changer, as the team has decided to pass on multiple top-six wingers, or would miss the game entirely.
Rust played on
Sidney Crosby's line and benefited from it immensely, scoring 31+ goals.
He also has a playoff pedigree that could add to the leadership group that is prospering in Detroit with
Dylan Larkin and
Patrick Kane leading the way.
Rust is in year 4 of 6 of his $5.125 million AAV deal, and was an 80th overall pick in the 3rd-round of the 2010 NHL Draft.
He has two Stanley Cups to his name and has played a total of 638 NHL games, scoring 437 points (203-234).
GM Steve Yzerman needs to do something to upgrade the forward core, and Rust could be another player who could be a solution to a six-year problem.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
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