The Edmonton Oilers have been one of the NHL's busiest teams this offseason, reshaping their roster with hopes of finally getting over the hump in the Stanley Cup race.
After trading Darnell Nurse, hiring Mike Babcock as head coach, and adding veterans like Ryan Shea and Frederik Andersen, many believe Edmonton still needs one more proven top-six winger to complete its roster.
With that in mind, NHL insider Jason Gregor has identified a player he believes would be an ideal fit for Connor McDavid's championship pursuit.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust has emerged as a potential target for Edmonton, it would appear.
While general manager Kyle Dubas isn't aggressively shopping him, the Penguins are in the middle of an organizational retool to get younger, putting the 34-year-old top-six winger in high demand.
Speaking about Edmonton's options, Jason Gregor said Rust would be at the top of his list of trade targets. "If I could get Bryan Rust at the deadline, I would take him. Rust has been extremely consistent and I love how he plays. You know what? He's played in the playoffs. He knows how to compete, all those sorts of things. This guy can score goals, but I like how he scores," Gregor said .
"I'm not sold on the Penguins now. They surprised me last year. I didn't think they were gonna be a playoff team last year. So, I could be wrong again, but I would be willing to wager and say, okay, let's see if Pittsburgh's out of it. And if they are, then we can make a deal with them," he added.
Rust has built a reputation as one of the league's most reliable complementary forwards. He doesn't need the puck on his stick to make an impact, relying instead on his speed, relentless forechecking, and strong two-way play.
Those qualities could make him an ideal fit alongside either McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
Just as importantly, Rust brings the kind of championship experience Edmonton has been searching for. He played a key role in the Penguins' back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2016 and 2017 and has appeared in 85 career playoff games, earning a reputation for delivering in big moments.
ALSO READ: 'There's No Gray Area': Zach Hyman Dismisses Concerns Around Oilers HC Mike Babcock
Because Rust is signed for two more seasons at a manageable $5.125 million cap hit, Edmonton will not be acquiring him as a short-term rental. The Oilers would have him for two playoff runs (across McDavid's extension) while still maintaining financial flexibility after moving Nurse's contract.
As Gregor noted, any potential trade depends on one key factor: Pittsburgh falling out of the playoff race.
If that happens, the Oilers could be among the first teams to make a serious push for the two-time Stanley Cup champion.
