![]() Nor does trading him before the deadline this spring, even if you’re convinced he’s going to walk after the season. Nah, letting him walk doesn’t particularly make sense. ![]() He’s legitimately good on the power play now, and, at some point during that season, a good player became something more than good as the game began to slow down for him. ![]() Somewhere along the way, probably during the 2019-20 season, Rust learned how to be effective when the game becomes stationary. Rust was always a good player in full flight because of his blazing speed, his fearlessness, his defensive awareness and his above-average shot. And, unlike the Rust who entered the NHL in 2014, this version has actually become quite the playmaker. His goal-scoring touch has improved dramatically during the past three seasons. Both of the Penguins’ future Hall of Fame centers love playing with Rust. The same can be said of Malkin, by the way. He’s among Crosby’s favorite linemates of all time. Now? Crosby would probably travel to Boston for a few days and have a meeting with the Fenway Group head honchos if Mike Sullivan dared to remove Rust from his right side. He played one period on Crosby’s line during that season, and he was banished after 20 minutes because of his refusal or inability to send the puck back to the captain. When he arrived in Pittsburgh for a brief stint during the 2014-15 season, he never passed the puck. Rarely have we seen a player who so consistently improves on an almost annual basis. Here are his goal per game totals, while we’re at it: These are Rust’s point per game totals, starting with his rookie season:
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