Ryan Wilson: Setting realistic expectations for Bryan Rust's 2023-24 season Setting realistic expectations for Bryan Rust's 2023-24 season

If he stays in the top-6 and plays with top-6 players (i.e. no injury to Crosby/Malkin) for the better part of the season, I can see 18-20 goals and maybe 40-45 points. He shouldn't be seeing any regular PP1 time unless things are going south.

Thing I love most about Rust is he always is doing what he does no matter if the goals are coming or not. Also when he gets hot scoring goals he really gets on fire haha.

If he stays in the top-6 and plays with top-6 players (i.e. no injury to Crosby/Malkin) for the better part of the season, I can see 18-20 goals and maybe 40-45 points. He shouldn't be seeing any regular PP1 time unless things are going south.
- jmatchett383

He will stay in the top 6. There isn't a player here(as of now) that could dethrone any of our top 6 players. Now if injury happens to one of the top centers then yea that could be an issue.

They need to get a Tatar deal done.

I think Rust's shooting will rebound and he'll put up decent numbers. He does look like he's lost a step though sometimes I wondered if it was inconsistent effort. He had room to fall to still be a productive top six, but I doubt he gets back to that top line level player he had been.

Barring significant injuries within the top 6, I think Rust will be fine this season. That team was a mess last season and it showed everywhere, with maybe Crosby/Malkin excluded.

Barring significant injuries within the top 6, I think Rust will be fine this season. That team was a mess last season and it showed everywhere, with maybe Crosby/Malkin excluded.
- 5on1Powerplay

Bottom 6 sucked, goaltending was injured and there was no real team chemistry, yet they almost made the playoffs. That's what has me picking them to make the playoffs. If Jarry gets hurt I see Dubas adding to the goaltending for sure.

Bottom 6 sucked, goaltending was injured and there was no real team chemistry, yet they almost made the playoffs. That's what has me picking them to make the playoffs. When Jarry gets hurt I see Dubas adding to the goaltending for sure.
- 668710

fixed

fixed
- Feds91Stammer

Hahaha yea he will get hurt. I'll be watching Blomqvist with the baby Pens. He's by far our most important prospect.

I think Rust's shooting will rebound and he'll put up decent numbers. He does look like he's lost a step though sometimes I wondered if it was inconsistent effort. He had room to fall to still be a productive top six, but I doubt he gets back to that top line level player he had been.
- Tojo.

He did a good job getting pucks on net last year. I'm not worried. I also think the rebuilt top 4 D is going to help these guys on offense.

He did a good job getting pucks on net last year. I'm not worried. I also think the rebuilt top 4 D is going to help these guys on offense.
- burgh4life87

Yea that goes along with what I was saying. He always around the net/drives the net. And yea our defense is much better, not signing Dumo was massive. That was a big worry of mine. If we can swing Tatar I'd love to see Tatar-Accari-Nylander to start the year as our third scoring line and let Nieto-Eller-DOC be a defensive unit.

Why are some so big on Nylander?

Yea that goes along with what I was saying. He always around the net/drives the net. And yea our defense is much better, not signing Dumo was massive. That was a big worry of mine. If we can swing Tatar I'd love to see Tatar-Accari-Nylander to start the year as our third scoring line and let Nieto-Eller-DOC be a defensive unit.
- 668710

The bottom 6 battle is going to be interesting. Puustinen, Nylander, Pitlick, Hinostroza, Johnsson all battling for the 12th and 13th spot. Preseason might actually be fun.

Why are some so big on Nylander?
- IronCity

Because of our limited amount of prospects and he played well with Geno and Zucker when filling in last year.

The bottom 6 battle is going to be interesting. Puustinen, Nylander, Pitlick, Hinostroza, Johnsson all battling for the 12th and 13th spot. Preseason might actually be fun.
- burgh4life87

Yea for sure, I'm excited all around. I hope Blomqvist gets playing time this preseason. I'm hoping Pitlick is gone for Tatar haha. I keep forgetting about Hinostroza.

Why are some so big on Nylander?
- IronCity

His brother is good. It's the Marc Staal effect.

His brother is good. It's the Marc Staal effect.
- MickV

Not really, he's not near his brother. I think being a third line scorer as his ceiling isn't that big of a stretch.

Edit: I have seen some guys put him on the second line and that's a bit much.

Not really, he's not near his brother. I think being a third line scorer as his ceiling isn't that big of a stretch.

Edit: I have seen some guys put him on the second line and that's a bit much.
- 668710

There's an opening there to start the season that like 5 or 6 guys will be battling for. He's already been trusted there. I wont be surprised if he's the one starting there on opening night...


...if they dont get Tatar.


None of this is to say I think he should be a mainstay in the top 6, just that he never looked out of place there last season in a very small samplin', and very good chance he is used there until Jakey is ready.

Why are some so big on Nylander?
- IronCity

Hopium really. Has a high draft pedigree and some tools. Lack of exciting alternatives.

Yea for sure, I'm excited all around. I hope Blomqvist gets playing time this preseason. I'm hoping Pitlick is gone for Tatar haha. I keep forgetting about Hinostroza.
- 668710

He definitely will. Ned wasn't good last year so the back up goalie battle is going to another one to watch.

If they can sign Tatar and dump Pitlick I will be so damn excited.

He definitely will. Ned wasn't good last year so the back up goalie battle is going to another one to watch.

If they can sign Tatar and dump Pitlick I will be so damn excited.
- burgh4life87

Could be Jarry/Hellberg, yet....

Could be Jarry/Hellberg, yet....
- MattStrat

Not sure what Dubas saw in those two, but I really hope one of them has a breakout year. Putting our eggs in the Jarry basket isn't ideal.

Could be Jarry/Hellberg, yet....
- MattStrat

Not a (frank)ing chance lol

There's an opening there to start the season that like 5 or 6 guys will be battling for. He's already been trusted there. I wont be surprised if he's the one starting there on opening night...


...if they dont get Tatar.


None of this is to say I think he should be a mainstay in the top 6, just that he never looked out of place there last season in a very small samplin', and very good chance he is used there until Jakey is ready.
- MattStrat

Yea I can see that, I guess Rakell would move over to the LW. If Geno Smith and Rust are all healthy I want to see them just stick together to start. Don't throw either of them up with Sid. Just give Sid Rakell and whoever until Jake is back.