Dec 18, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (36) carries the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 1-0 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
2. Bryan Rust
Bryan Rust’s tenure with the Pens this season was certainly an eventful one. The young winger utilized his speed and excellent hands to move up through the lineup and out of the bottom-six, unlike his other AHL teammates.
Over the course of his 14 games in Pittsburgh this season, Rust suited up on the third line alongside Brandon Sutter, the second line alongside Evgeni Malkin, and the first alongside Sidney Crosby.
While he only managed one goal and one assist over that span, he did fire 34 shots on net – the most of any of the Pens’ AHL call-ups.
At only 22 years of age, Rust proved he can be a strong NHL player one day, after some further development, and certainly gained some excellent experience while playing alongside some of the league’s best talent in Pittsburgh.
He certainly remains one of the Pens’ best call-up options should their injury situation worsen in the second half of the season.