Mike Sullivan admitted after Thursday's season finale that he didn't anticipate Bryan Rust becoming a 30-goal scorer early in his career.
"When I was coaching Rusty in Wilkes-Barre, he was on our second line," Sullivan recalled. "He wasn't even on our power play. He was a penalty-kill, checking, energy guy in Wilkes-Barre."
That was Rust early into his NHL career too, albeit on the fourth line now.
A decade later, Rust isn't a 30-goal scorer .. he's a 31-goal scorer, netting his 30th and 31st in the Penguins' 5-2 win over the Capitals at PPG Paints Arena to close out the season.
It was a meaningless game in the context of the standings for either team, with the Penguins done and the Capitals locked into their seeding. But there was a lot of meaning to be found here on a smaller scale, and that was clear from Rust's reaction after scoring No. 30:
That reaction is because just like Sullivan ... Rust never really thought he'd be here, either.
"I'm really proud of that," Rust said. "I can't tell you I ever thought I'd score 30 goals. I thought maybe 30 over my career when I first got into the league."
Rust credited his growth to where he is now to hockey being "a game of endless possibilities." That's true for a bottom-six energy guy somehow becoming Sidney Crosby's regular winger. Rust recognizes that he still has a lot of new opportunities for growth in his play, and there will always be experiences to lead to development even this far into his career.
"I'm trying to learn the game every day," he said. "I'm trying to learn as many possible situations as I can, where to be, how to get open. The more you're around, the more you see different types of plays and know what reads to make."
Rust said too, that he's benefitted from the stability of playing with someone like Crosby for as long as he has.
Rust is still under contract for three more seasons after this one. But his no-movement clause gets reduced to zero trade protection at all on July 1 through the remainder of his deal. He's made it known on a number of occasions that he has no interest in going anywhere. And for a guy who only makes $5.125 million, meshes this well with Crosby, and is still capable of reaching new heights, the Penguins might be wise to listen to his wishes to stay put.
• Rust joined Crosby and Rickard Rakell as the Penguins' 30-goal scorers this season. The last time the Penguins had at least three 30-goal scorers, they were Jaromir Jagr, Mario Lemieux, Alexei Kovalev and Robert Lang in 2000-01.
• Crosby's primary helper on Rust's second goal was his 90th point of the season, becoming just the sixth player in NHL history to hit 90 points at age 37.
• Nice to see Sam Poulin get a late shot up in the NHL, emergency recalled to replace the injured Kevin Hayes.
"Sam's had a great year," Sullivan said. "He's played extremely well for Wilkes. He continues to grow and develop his game. He was solid tonight. His size and his strength on the puck is something that we like. He's good on the wall. I think the best aspect of his game is in the offensive zone underneath the hash marks. He protects pucks well, he's pretty good at the net front, he has a good stick. We're thrilled with his overall growth this year in Wilkes.
• One way to neutralize the Capitals power play: Score shorthanded yourself. Danton Heinen figured that out in the third:
• Tanner Howe is in town still and was in the press box. His Calgary Hitmen advanced to the second round of the WHL playoffs after sweeping Saskatoon in the first round, but he was injured with no timetable given last week. Not a great sign health-wise that he's here.
• The Penguins' exit interviews and locker cleanouts are Friday morning. Players and Mike Sullivan will talk then, Kyle Dubas will speak on Monday.
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THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
5:17 am - 04.18.2025UptownLoose Pucks: Rust hits 30 (and 31)
Mike Sullivan admitted after Thursday's season finale that he didn't anticipate Bryan Rust becoming a 30-goal scorer early in his career.
"When I was coaching Rusty in Wilkes-Barre, he was on our second line," Sullivan recalled. "He wasn't even on our power play. He was a penalty-kill, checking, energy guy in Wilkes-Barre."
That was Rust early into his NHL career too, albeit on the fourth line now.
A decade later, Rust isn't a 30-goal scorer .. he's a 31-goal scorer, netting his 30th and 31st in the Penguins' 5-2 win over the Capitals at PPG Paints Arena to close out the season.
It was a meaningless game in the context of the standings for either team, with the Penguins done and the Capitals locked into their seeding. But there was a lot of meaning to be found here on a smaller scale, and that was clear from Rust's reaction after scoring No. 30:
That reaction is because just like Sullivan ... Rust never really thought he'd be here, either.
"I'm really proud of that," Rust said. "I can't tell you I ever thought I'd score 30 goals. I thought maybe 30 over my career when I first got into the league."
Rust credited his growth to where he is now to hockey being "a game of endless possibilities." That's true for a bottom-six energy guy somehow becoming Sidney Crosby's regular winger. Rust recognizes that he still has a lot of new opportunities for growth in his play, and there will always be experiences to lead to development even this far into his career.
"I'm trying to learn the game every day," he said. "I'm trying to learn as many possible situations as I can, where to be, how to get open. The more you're around, the more you see different types of plays and know what reads to make."
Rust said too, that he's benefitted from the stability of playing with someone like Crosby for as long as he has.
Rust is still under contract for three more seasons after this one. But his no-movement clause gets reduced to zero trade protection at all on July 1 through the remainder of his deal. He's made it known on a number of occasions that he has no interest in going anywhere. And for a guy who only makes $5.125 million, meshes this well with Crosby, and is still capable of reaching new heights, the Penguins might be wise to listen to his wishes to stay put.
• Rust joined Crosby and Rickard Rakell as the Penguins' 30-goal scorers this season. The last time the Penguins had at least three 30-goal scorers, they were Jaromir Jagr, Mario Lemieux, Alexei Kovalev and Robert Lang in 2000-01.
• Crosby's primary helper on Rust's second goal was his 90th point of the season, becoming just the sixth player in NHL history to hit 90 points at age 37.
• Nice to see Sam Poulin get a late shot up in the NHL, emergency recalled to replace the injured Kevin Hayes.
"Sam's had a great year," Sullivan said. "He's played extremely well for Wilkes. He continues to grow and develop his game. He was solid tonight. His size and his strength on the puck is something that we like. He's good on the wall. I think the best aspect of his game is in the offensive zone underneath the hash marks. He protects pucks well, he's pretty good at the net front, he has a good stick. We're thrilled with his overall growth this year in Wilkes.
• One way to neutralize the Capitals power play: Score shorthanded yourself. Danton Heinen figured that out in the third:
• Tanner Howe is in town still and was in the press box. His Calgary Hitmen advanced to the second round of the WHL playoffs after sweeping Saskatoon in the first round, but he was injured with no timetable given last week. Not a great sign health-wise that he's here.
• The Penguins' exit interviews and locker cleanouts are Friday morning. Players and Mike Sullivan will talk then, Kyle Dubas will speak on Monday.
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