Rust has missed the first 11 games of the season but is eligible to come off of LTIR and make his season debut on Saturday. Rust skated on the second line with Nick Bjugstad and Patric Hornqvist in Friday's practice. He had 18 goals and 17 assists (35 points) in 72 games a season ago.
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said that Rust is expected to be out “longer-term” and his move to LTIR means he will miss at least 10 games (24 days). His injury means that Zach Aston-Reese will likely start the season on the Penguins fourth-line.
Rust missed Monday’s game in Minnesota with a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Wednesday. Rust was back on the Penguins top line with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel in the morning skate and will look to continue the torrid pace he was on before getting hurt—scoring eight goals with three assists (11 points) in his last nine games.
Rust is not expected to be in the lineup in Minnesota on Monday, so look for Zach Aston-Reese to start on the top-line with Sidney Crosby.
Rust has become a valuable middle-6 winger for the Penguins, scoring 13 goals with 25 assists (38 points) in 69 games this past season. Rust occasionally sees time on a line with Evgeni Malkin but is equally effective in a checking-line role. He grades out as the No.52 ranked RW in hockey according to Corsica Player Ratings.
Rust has missed the last two games with a concussion that he sustained in Philadelphia last Wednesday. Rust is expected to replace Josh Jooris on the Penguins fourth line and comes into tonight with 33 points (10G / 23A) in 57 games this season.
Rust has been out since December 27th but he is expected to replace Ryan Reaves in the lineup on Tuesday. Rust collected four goals and 14 assists (18 points) in 38 games before getting hurt.
Rust left Wednesday’s game with an upper-body injury and the Penguins announced that he will be out “longer term.” The Penguins will likely have to dig into their farm system to find some forward depth with Rust out.
Rust departed the game after recording an assist in 10:06 TOI and did not return. The Penguins did not provide and update on Rust’s status so consider him questionable for Friday’s game in Carolina.
Rust has missed the last 11 games with an arm injury and will miss at least four games as he stays back in Pittsburgh while the team travels out west. He resumed skating last Friday, so monitor his status leading up to next Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia.
Rust has been skating on his own, but finally got back into practice on Wednesday. With Sidney Crosby likely out of the season opener with a concussion, the Penguins could use Rust back in the lineup, but that seems unlikely at this point. Consider him day-to-day.
Rust, 24, had a nice playoff run last year picking up nine points (6G / 3A) in 23 games on Evgeni Malkin’s wing. With Rust unlikely available for the start of the season, that leaves the door open for Scott Wilson to start the year with Malkin.
