Rumor: Penguins getting calls on Rust, want to clear space to sign Chris Tanev

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My guess for what would happen is:

1. Hornqvist to someone for a $2.5-$3 million 3rd liner
2. They sign Tanev with the money saved in the Hornqvist deal plus their remaining cap space (roughly $2 million IIRC)
3. A Rust trade may happen if a team offers up a big enough return, but that's probably unrelated to 1 and 2.

Yeah, agreed, 3 doesn't really logically follow from 1 & 2.

The problem with trading Rust, even in the event of an overpay is
-his contract is perfect and is up when he hits 30
-he fits the team like a damn glove
-Any offer would have to be enough to negate the above two advantages.....is any team realistically going to make a massive overpayment for (all due respect) Bryan Rust?

I feel like the "hometown star role player thing" is a big buyer beware with GMs. Nobody wants to have another Cory Conacher situation. And, again, from Rutherford's perspective, is giving up a player who fits well (financially and tactically) worth giving up a high-ish pick for? Or a decent prospect? It's not as if a GM is going to stroll up and offer a first and a prospect for Rusty.

If the Pens are in "win now" mode for the next 2 years at least, it makes no sense to part with a player who is hard-working, coach-friendly, cap-friendly, team-oriented, and whose contract lines up perfectly with your window. He suits this team down to the ground.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Keeping Rust seems like a better idea

 

[RSPens]

It's a good idea if you think Rust isn't what he was last year and some team is willing to pay a price for him based on thinking he is what he was last year.

The problem I have is that even if Rust isn't who he was last season (high shooting %, playmaking). His cap hit is still reasonable for what we know he is, a solid penalty killer that can fit in on any line and helps make the players around him better. He is basically a slightly (its actually pretty close) slower Tanev, with less hitting and more offence.

 

[Jared Dunn]

I don't think those two points are necessarily related. They want to clear cap space for Tanev, but a Rust trade is something unrelated that may just happen.

I think they'd probably try to move Hornqvist for a 3rd liner and then throw a $4 million contract at Tanev.

Have to imagine Tanev gets better offers than 4 million

 

[Empoleon8771]

Have to imagine Tanev gets better offers than 4 million

Yeah the Athletic article said that Tanev wants a raise from $4.45 million and the Penguins were prepared to give him the same term as Brandon but under $5 million. I think it would be something like 5 years at $4.75 million AAV.

 

[Drew311]

If Rust isn’t getting PP1 time like he did when Guentzel was out we’ll see his numbers regress. I think it’s smart to sell high if you’re filling a need elsewhere. Rutherford probably sees Kapanen filling the 2RW hole which makes Rust somewhat expendable.

 

[Empoleon8771]

If Rust isn’t getting PP1 time like he did when Guentzel was out we’ll see his numbers regress. I think it’s smart to sell high if you’re filling a need elsewhere. Rutherford probably sees Kapanen filling the 2RW hole which makes Rust somewhat expendable.

To a degree this is true, but Rust still had 39 ES or SH points last year. If the only thing that regresses is his powerplay production, which falls to around 5-10 PP points a year, his pace from last year was still about in the 60-65 point range.

 

[Drew311]

To a degree this is true, but Rust still had 39 ES or SH points last year. If the only thing that regresses is his powerplay production, which falls to around 5-10 PP points a year, his pace from last year was still about in the 60-65 point range.

He also shot 18% which is pretty high. I think things will even out for him and he’ll be in the 50 - 60 range, and getting a good score for him now isn’t a bad idea.

 

[themelkman]

I could see sharks. Rust is a middle six RW that could fit in

 

[Sideline]

Rust isn't untouchable, but I don’t see how you get a better value for money contract 1 for 1. If you're trading him for futures then why go get Kapanen in what was essentially the opposite move for a very similar player? Rust as the price to take Jack Johnson's trash contract seems excessive.

Maybe Rust + Murray for a big name might make sense for Pittsburgh, but I don’t know who would be the other side of that deal.

 

[Gurglesons]

I could see sharks. Rust is a middle six RW that could fit in

Rust for LaBlanc and a pick makes a whole lotta sense.

PIT wouldn't be forced into giving LaBlanc the promised asset and San Jose gets the better player.

 

[domaug]

trading Rust to fit in a stupidly expensive and long contract for another below average defenseman would be a horrible idea

which means it's probably exactly what Rutherford is going to do

 

[Gurglesons]

That would be a terrible decision by the Penguins to offload a very good contract and fit in Rust for an oft injured Chris Tanev who is slowing down. And this is coming from a Canucks fan who likes Tanev and wants him back. But this move would make the Pens worse

The idea would be to get a younger asset for Rust.

We currently have Hornqvist who should be in the top six then Rust, Kapanen and Tanev all making over 3 million at RW.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Not to be overly pessimistic, but this sure looks like bending over backwards to pay a defenseman 5 mil per just so we have a babysitter for an ECHL calibre 3.25 mil per defenseman.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

JR sure likes to change things up, even if the things he wants to do make very little sense in terms of building a roster that fits the style they want to play.

 

[Empoleon8771]

FWIW:




I think it's just beating a dead horse, but it's not just from the Pittsburgh side that this rumor is being leaked. I think they ultimately don't end up trading Rust, but it seems like Chris this year is in a fairly similar spot to Brandon last year with respect to the rumors we're hearing.

 

[The Nuge]

I mean Rust is a 28 year old who’d never broken 40 points before suddenly going PPG. Selling high is a smart idea if you think he’s going to regress back to what he was. And Tanev would be their 2nd or 3rd best dman. If you can get rid of Johnson at the same time, Kapanen and Tanev in for Rust and Johnson is a big upgrade

 

[Canucks LB]

FWIW:




I think it's just beating a dead horse, but it's not just from the Pittsburgh side that this rumor is being leaked. I think they ultimately don't end up trading Rust, but it seems like Chris this year is in a fairly similar spot to Brandon last year with respect to the rumors we're hearing.

So funny, Toronto having interest now, after he could have probably been had for as low as a 2nd rounder when he had some injury concerns.

 

[Fatass]

So funny, Toronto having interest now, after he could have probably been had for as low as a 2nd rounder when he had some injury concerns.

If Benning isn’t going to sign Tanev maybe he should trade Chris’ rights for a ,3rd?

 

[Mickey Marner]

So funny, Toronto having interest now, after he could have probably been had for as low as a 2nd rounder when he had some injury concerns.

He'll potentially be available for no draft picks in about two weeks.

 

[Martin Skoula]

So funny, Toronto having interest now, after he could have probably been had for as low as a 2nd rounder when he had some injury concerns.

How stupid of them to try to get him for free instead of paying a 2nd for a guy who could walk for free after missing another 30 games from blocking a shot.

 

[Canucks LB]

He'll potentially be available for no draft picks in about two weeks.

Yes, and he could have drastically helped Toronto in the last two years when he was available.
High character guy, 22+ min tough defender.
Sounds like something the leafs drastically needed.
Heinsight is 50/50 sure, but Tanev was available per million of reports.
And gambling a 2nd rounder on an injury prone player seems like a no brainer.

 

[DRAGO 18]

I mean Rust is a 28 year old who’d never broken 40 points before suddenly going PPG. Selling high is a smart idea if you think he’s going to regress back to what he was. And Tanev would be their 2nd or 3rd best dman. If you can get rid of Johnson at the same time, Kapanen and Tanev in for Rust and Johnson is a big upgrade

The question is "If" you can get rid of Johnson.

I would absolutely agree with you if they can.

 

[belair]

Wouldn't Pittsburgh getting Tanev signal Letang's departure or are they avoiding some regression from Marino?

 

[ManwithNoIdentity]

I love Rust, him being in a wings jersey would be epic