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In a bit of a Saturday night shocker, the Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed forward Bryan Rust to a six-year contract extension worth $30.75 million. That would put the average annual value at $5.125 million per season.
Darren Dreger had the initial report saying that the sides were close on a deal and Elliotte Friedman reported the approximate details.
Rust, 30, has spent the last eight seasons in Pittsburgh becoming a full-time player in the 2016-17' season. He has 124 goals and 270 career points in 424 games played. Rust has spent the majority of his time in Pittsburgh's top-six over the past few seasons, showing extensive chemistry with both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
This past season, Rust posted a career-high 58 points in 60 games. He scored 24 goals, the second highest total of his career. Rust was injured for a portion of the season but returned from his injury in scathing fashion scoring seven goals in his first three games including a hat-trick in his return game on January 2 against the San Jose Sharks.
Rust has been a vital playoff player in his Penguins career, scoring in multiple game seven's and recording 21 goals across 79 career playoff games.
The extension locks up a top-six winger and takes care of one of the big pending free agents the Penguins have this offseason. Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin are also due contracts.