Observations:

March 2017 – Rust returned after missing 20 games with an upper-body injury. Mark Allan

February 2017 – Injuries to fellow forwards Evgeni Malkin (LBI, day to day), Conor Sheary (UBI, early to mid-March) and Carl Hagelin (concussion, day to day) resulted in Chris Kunitz replacing Sheary on Sidney Crosby's left side. Rust has been playing regularly with Crosby since replacing Patric Hornqvist recently. That has bumped up Rust's production, leaving him with 25 points in 49 games. Although the swift-skating Rust has some skill, his output is dependant on line placement and competition from other forwards. The good news is that he has a good chance of getting Crosby or Malkin as his center. Mark Allan 

November 2016 – It took him seven games but Rust potted his first goal (and point) of the NHL season in a 5-1 win in Anaheim. Off Evgeni Malkin's line, Rust found himself with Nick Bonino, although Carl Hagelin and Scott Wilson took turns as their other linemate as coach Mike Sullivan experimented. The speedy Rust has invaluable Stanley Cup experience and a ring, but it's hard for fantasy owners to project his career path with all the other fast, talented, young forwards in the organization. Mark Allan

October 2016 – Returned to the lineup from a broken finger, Rust is playing RW with Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz, although he went pointless and was minus-3 in his first two games. Mark Allan

October 2016 – Rust, who spent time on Evgeni Malkin's right side during the Penguins' Stanley Cup drive, is out of action and in danger of losing a spot on Pittsburgh's roster, possibly to Scott Wilson. Rust is still recovering from a broken finger suffered in Game Six of the Cup final, but head coach Mike Sullivan said the winger is also dealing with another issue, although he didn't elaborate. Rust continues to skate on his own at Pittsburgh's training camp. There doesn't seem to be a timetable for Rust's return and, sincethe Penguins are deep in NHL forwards, he'll likey start the season in the AHL, and might remain there until he's recalled due to an injury or a slump.  Mark Allan

June 2016 – The hard-working speedster is not exactly a household name, although he enhanced his reputation by scoring some big post-season goals en route to Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup celebration. He potted two goals as the Penguins eliminated the Rangers in Round One, assisted on Sidney Crosby's overtime goal in a 3-2 win over Tampa, scored a key insurance goal as Pittsburgh avoided elimination against the Lightning, and had both Pittsburgh goals in a 2-1 victory that sent the Pens into the Cup final. Rust's final post-season totals of six goals and three assists in 23 playoff games were modest, yet solid for a role player, and a plus-7 must have endeared him to coach Mike Sullivan. Rust is sound defensively and a tenacious forechecker, qualities that should ensure employment even when he's not scoring. Pittsburgh fans and mnanagement will nonetheless fondly remember his timely playoff goals. Mark Allan 

March 2016 – Getting NHL minutes on Pittsburgh's third line, Rust signed a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $640,000. Rust, who has four goals and six assists in the NHL this season, maintained his No. 9 position among Pittsburgh prospects, according to the 2016 Future Watch. Mark Allan

January 2016 – Called up by Pittsburgh for the third time this season, Rust has one goal in seven games with limited ice time. He's on target to duplicate the goal and assist he registered in 14 NHL games last season, and cannot expect to get top-six ice time with Pittsburgh. In fact, he has just six points in 16 AHL games, including a 15-game gap when he was injured. The speedster will likely find himself back soon with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he will try to salvage a disappointing campaign. Mark Allan

October 2015 – Rust is day to day with an arm injury. Mark Allan

October 2015 – Promoted to Pittsburgh after two AHL games, the winger is pointless in three NHL games. Although he generated three shots on goal in a 3-2 OT win against the visiting Panthers, he got only 13:31 of ice time and currently has minimal fantasy value. Mark Allan

October 2015 – Demoted to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Rust will polish his game and wait for his chance with Pittsburgh, which at least in the short term will more likely come as a bottom-six energy player than a top-six scorer. Mark Allan

March 2015 – If Bryan Rust is going to make it in the NHL, the high-energy winger must do it with hard work and responsible defensive play. He got an eye-opener when the injury-ravaged Penguins called him up in December. In 14 games, he registered a goal, an assist, four penalty minutes and a minus-3 rating. His two-game pro baptism with Pittsburgh’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton AHL affiliate in 2013-14 followed four seasons at Notre Dame, which were preceded by a stint with the U.S. national under-18 team. In 37 AHL games this season, Rust has respectable totals of 13 goals and 11 assists with 12 penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating. Lacking a high degree of offensive creativity, Rust kills penalties well and can be trusted not to mess up when a game is on the line. Mark Allan

Fantasy Outlook: C

The speedy, hard-working winger projects as a bottom-six defensive specialist who chips in with modest offense, although he has an outside shot at securing steady top-six work.

Footage:

Two goals by Bryan Rust send Penguins to Stanley Cup final:

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Bryan Rust scores two AHL goals in 24 seconds:

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