What would the Penguins and Capitals look like if Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin swapped Draft spots? The Pittsburgh Penguins are still in the midst of an off-season filled with change, with their bottom six forwards and defense getting a major facelift. They're moves that will hopefully help lead the Penguins out of playoff obscurity. Despite this incoming boost of depth, the team needs more out of some of their established veterans. And there is no one in the black and gold more in need of a bounce back season than Bryan Rust. Rust is just one season removed from a huge contract extension. One of four huge, long-term contracts given out by former general manager Ron Hextall in the summer of 2022. Rust inked a six-year contract with a yearly cap hit of $5.125 million. It was a well earned contract and raise, as Rust established himself as one of the fastest and hardest working players on the team and in the NHL between 2014 and 2022. In 424 games during that span, he scored 124 goals and 270 points to complement his consistent penalty killing and relentless energy on the ice. Going into his age 30 season and armed with a freshly signed contract, expectations were high for Rust. No longer an underrated or underpaid player, it was a prime opportunity for him to show just how special of a player he is. It was an incredibly fast start to his season too, as he popped off for five points in the first three games and eight points in the first 10 games of the season. Then November came and Rust's production and consistency plummeted. He had two seven game scoreless streaks during the month of November, but there was little to be grateful for. The month of struggle started off what would turn into a season of disappointing offensive production. Despite remaining healthy and playing in 81 games, he continued his struggle in the second half of the season. As the season went downhill, Rust's game followed a similar trend despite his best efforts. Playing a majority of his time next to his usual line mates of Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel, he scored a below average 19 points over the final 41 games of the season as he and the team limped to the finish line of the regular season. In total he put up just 20 goals and 46 points in the first year of his new deal. What stood out most about Rust's game last season was his explosiveness, or more accurately, his lack of it. What was once a trademark of his game, that second level of speed seemed missing from his game. At times it was a product of the team's inability to generate offense and scoring chances, and much of the defensive responsibility falls to him when he's on the ice. However, Rust struggled to create offense on his own last season. He showed flashes of his old self at times, but could not bring it on a nightly basis. Whatever the reason was, the lack of explosiveness hurt Rust's game. It hindered his ability to be an aggressive forechecker and defender, and it certainly hurt his offensive production. Looking forward to 2023-24, the Penguins not only want more from Bryan Rust, but they won't succeed without it. The offensive numbers from Rust last season were not good enough, and he will need to find a way back to the 25-goal range and be closer to a 60-point player. Not only that, he'll need to re-find his defensive game and re-assert himself as the leader of the team's penalty killing unit. Simply put, the Penguins need more from Rust, and he has more to give. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! All Eyes on Penguins' Goalie Tristan Jarry This Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/all-eyes-pittsburgh-penguins-tristan-jarry-season] Where Does Ty Smith Fit With the Penguins? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/where-ty-smith-fit-pittsburgh-penguins] Reilly Smith Will Fit Perfectly on Penguins Second Line [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/reilly-smith-fit-perfectly-pittsburgh-penguins-second-line] Penguins Still Have Log Jam on Defense [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-still-log-jam-defense] Erik Karlsson Deal at Stand Still for Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/erik-karlsson-deal-stand-still-pittsburgh-penguins] * undefined * undefined
