The Toronto Maple Leafs have been on the prowl for a top-six forward who could replace Mitch Marner’s production this summer. That replacement could come in the form of veteran top-six forward Bryan Rust of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Rust’s name has been in the news for a while now. The Penguins held a fire sale at the trade deadline last season, but couldn’t seem to find a buyer willing to pay the price for Rust. This summer, however, things could be different.
The Fourth Period included Rust in its Summer Trade List, linking the 33-year-old to the Maple Leafs among other teams. According to sources, the price on Rust is high. He’s got no trade protection and is coming off a 30-goal season. That situation makes him a highly desirable piece.
So, here’s a look at what this trade proposal could look like:
Maple Leafs get:
Bryan Rust, F
Penguins get:
Calle Jarnkrok, F
David Kampf, F
Henry Thrun, D
The Penguins send Rust as a single piece while they get three useful pieces in return. Jarnkrok is by far the best player in the package. He’s a versatile forward who could replace Rust in their top six if need be.
Meanwhile, David Kampf is a bit of a throw-in as he’s lost his lineup spot in Toronto. Kampf adds depth to the Penguins’ center core if he’s nothing more than a defensive forward with very limited offensive upside.
The most intriguing piece in this trade proposal is Thrun. The Maple Leafs acquired Thrun in the Ryan Reaves deal. While Thurn could have been a depth defenseman moving forward, he could get a real chance to play in Pittsburgh.
Why This Trade Makes Sense for Both Penguins and Maple Leafs
This trade makes sense for the Maple Leafs for two reasons. First, the Leafs get a top-six forward to replace Marner. While Rust won’t score 100 points, his 30-goal potential could be a huge boost to the team.
Second, the Maple Leafs clear out some of that logjam they’ve got in their bottom six. The team has too many high-priced depth forwards. So, shipping them off to Pittsburgh not only helps open up roster spots but also gives the team additional cap space.
For the Penguins, they get useful assets which could step into their lineup this fall. But, most importantly, the Pens recoup assets that could be flipped at the trade deadline. Jarnkrok and Thrun could be valuable depth pieces for contending teams, especially if they have good seasons in Pittsburgh.
Asking Price for Rust Is Believed to Be High
Some reports suggest that the asking price for Bryan Rust is high. While that term “high” is somewhat vague, one can infer it means several pieces for Rust alone. Those pieces could include one as high as a first-round draft pick.
However, the Maple Leafs don’t have a first-round pick until 2028. Moreover, the Leafs lack the sort of high-end prospects the Penguins could covet.
So, the next best thing would be solid veterans that the Penguins could flip in future trades for more pieces. The proposed trade package in this trade pitch might seem underwhelming, but the potential for an even greater return is there.
As long as the players in the trade package stay healthy and have productive seasons, the Penguins could flip them for a substantial gain, especially at next spring’s trade deadline.
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