Another UFA option for the Leafs reportedly off the table, re-signs long-term to remain in the Metro Division
Make no mistake about it, the Toronto Maple Leafs have plenty of options this summer, especially if they make a move or two to clear some salary. Unfortunately, one of their possible UFA options has been taken off the market on Saturday.
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust was quoted recently as stating that he felt as though he had been out-performing his contract for several seasons and was looking for a substantial pay increase on his next deal. Just this past week, it was reported that Rust and the Pens were nowhere near a deal, but now it looks as though the two sides have closed the gap and a deal could be imminent.
The report coming from Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli is that Rust and the Pens have come to terms on a 6-year contract extension that will pay Rust just above $5M per season - a big bump from his $3.5M AAV from the last 4 seasons. Seravalli credited TSN's Darren Dreger with first reporting that the deal was close.
Rust has been nothing short of excellent for the Pens over the past 3 seasons, scoring a combined 73 goals and 83 assists for 156 points in 171 games over that span, including a 24-goal, 58-point season in 2021-22. Rust played just 60 games this season, putting him right around the point-per-game mark for the second time in 3 seasons.
Rust and the Pens have not yet put pen to paper, but at this point, it appears to be a formality as the two sides have already agreed to terms.
| POLL | ||
MAI 21 | 151 ANSWERS Another UFA option for the Leafs reportedly off the table, re-signs long-term to remain in the Metro Division What do you think about the Bryan Rust contract? (6x$5+M) | ||
| Too much money, too much term | 63 | 41.7 % |
| Money's right, term is too long | 26 | 17.2 % |
| Term is good, money's too high | 25 | 16.6 % |
| Good deal for both sides | 37 | 24.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
