A new name has been linked to the New York Rangers as the team looks to continue to change its roster with a possible deal of two-time Stanley Cup champ Bryan Rust of the Pittsburgh Penguins.![Pittsburgh Penguins Bryan Rust #nhl #penguins #rangers]()
It was reported by Vincent Z. Mercogliano of Lohud That the Rangers are looking to add more offensive punch end at the Penguins are looking to pare down some players in the event of a full rebuild.
Rust to the Rangers would be an interesting move
«Rust doesn't carry the star power of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang or Evgeni Malkin, but he was a key cog for the Penguins who Sullivan came to depend on,» Mercogliano wrote «An even bigger draw would be his familiarity with New York's new system. Bringing in a veteran who can fill the RW hole that's burned the Rangers for years and help teach the nuances of Sullivan's layered forechecking scheme would be a huge get.
«Trading a two-time Cup-winning teammate might not sit well with Crosby and company. But, GM Kyle Dubas has made it clear the Pens are entering a rebuild stage,» Mercogliano added «And Rust, who has three years remaining on his deal for an AAV of $5.125 million, no longer holds any trade protection, is one of the most valuable chips he can use to kickstart that process.» - Vincent Z. Mercogilano
This trade proposal will gain momentum now that the New York Rangers have his former coach in Mike Sullivan.
General manager Chris Drury made the first move after the season came to an end when he fired his head coach Peter Laviolette and pursued Sullivan as he felt he is the right person for the new era.
Rangers looking for offense and Rust would provide it
The 33-year-old right winger has been with the Penguins since 2010 when he was drafted at the third round, 80th overall.
He has played his entire career which has stretched from 2014 till now with the Penguins Andy had a great season last year playing 71 games, scoring 31 goals with 34 assists for 65 points and had 18 penalty minutes.
He is in his fourth year of his six-year deal which was worth $30.75 million and would give the Rangers another three seasons of play before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Adding him to the Rangers certainly would help their offense and their power play which is one of the areas that needs attention.
It's safe to say many names will be linked to the Rangers as the team now has over $12 million of cap space and the likelihood of going to free agency to see if they can add talent or go through the trade route.
