NHL Insider Believes Red Wings Top Suitor For Penguins Rust

The Pittsburgh Penguins rebuild will continue, as the team will sell off its valuable assets, sparing Captain Sidney Crosby, of course.

Kyle Dubas could end up trading Bryan Rust, who's been a consistent producer in the lineup, where last season he scored 65 points (31-34). In prior seasons, we've seen him score 55-60 regularly.

The Red Wings need someone like Rust to slot in on the left flank to center Dylan Larkin, and Lucas Raymond to be a legitimate threat in the NHL nightly.

According to the Bleacher Report's Adam Gretz, the Red Wings are linked to Bryan Rust, a former 80th overall pick in the 3-round of the 2010 NHL Draft.

A bonus factoid is that the Michigan-born forward could be a versatile player who can play both left and right wing on the ice, giving the team some flexibility in the lineup.

He's a playmaker and can be counted on to finish as well, seeing as he's scored 65 points this year, and sniped 31 goals.

For the Penguins, he's developed into a reliable 20-minute forward on the ice, posting .91 ppg, scoring 121 in 133 games. For the Red Wings, he'd produce at a clip we've seen Matt Boldy, Seth Jarvis, and Martin Necas have done lately.

If Yzerman can pry Rust from the Penguins' hands, the team could shoot up a level in offense, as they add another top-six weapon, after witnessing Jonatan Berggren struggle to evolve in the forward they needed this year.

The Red Wings would have to part ways with a prospect, or two in order to acquire the former 3rd-round pick but the time to strike is now.