The free agency frenzy has just about calmed down. With most top prospects off the market, the options are down to a handful. Standout among them? Pittsburgh Penguins veterans Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust.
Rakell and Rust are right-wingers with proven potential. It’s perhaps why the Carolina Hurricanes were looking to bring either in before the Nikolaj Ehlers move happened. While Rakell has an eight-team no-trade list, Rust has no immunity whatsoever. His no-movement clause ceased to exist on July 1, making him vulnerable to being traded away by the Penguins if GM Kyle Dubas deems it fit.
The veteran has insisted on staying with the team, looking to play a part while the Penguins recover from their current state: “I want to be here until we’re good again.” Nonetheless, teams are eyeing him, and Dubas is more likely than not to let him go for a younger NHL player in return. Among the teams in contention for the 33-year-old, the Toronto Maple Leafs are one.
NHL Insider Gives a Realistic Assessment of the Toronto Maple Leafs Landing Bryan Rust
In his July 4 appearance on the Leafs Morning Take podcast, The Hockey News reporter David Alter broke down what a Maple Leafs trade for the Penguins veteran right-winger could look like. There is a lot to like about Rust.
Over 638 regular-season games, he has accumulated 437 points (203 goals and 234 assists). His last season was exceptional. He scored 65 points in 71 regular-season games, showing no signs of slowing down. Of course, Rust is an asset, but is he a good fit for the Maple Leafs?
Could Bryan Rust emerge as a stealth trade target 🎯 for the #LeafsForever?
“If you have him in there, then where’s the spot, right? It’s probably second line instead of first line..”
– @dalter @thegoldenmuzzy | @Jay_D_Rosehill
Presented by @CharmDiamonds pic.twitter.com/LNPPr9TzdQ
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) July 4, 2025
Alter believes Rust would be a great addition to the Leafs but with stipulations. First up, the focus was on his position. “If you have him in there, then where’s the spot, right? It’s probably the second line instead of the first line because you have William Nylander, who plays on the right side as well.”
Alter, however, offered a solution as well. “Usually, you want your other winger to kind of be that grittier guy who can help him get the puck. And so if you have Knies, then Rust can be your guy on the second line in that regard.”
His take stems from the belief that Rust plays some hockey that is right up the Maple Leafs and Head Coach Craig Berube’s alley. But other issues could obstruct the team’s chance of landing the right-winger.
The most pressing issue that could disrupt the trade is who the Penguins get in return for Rust. The 33-year-old is in phenomenal form and a two-time cup champion. Alter believes that “a couple of depth forwards who don’t have a lot of term” might not be the answer. He draws attention to a more fundamental problem the Maple Leafs face. Trades to fill roster holes are difficult to strike because, as Alter puts it, the team’s “cupboard is bare.” The team simply has insufficient tradeable assets.
Rust is one of the few remaining top prospects with a proven record as a consistent point producer. It remains to be seen if the Maple Leafs can secure Rust’s services to replenish their roster.
