Bryan
Rust
R · PIT · Offensive · Around average
- PAL
- 52
- WAR
- 1.1
- Value
- 37
- PTS
- 65
2025-26№ 154 / 615
Bryan Rust (Pittsburgh Penguins) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Bryan Rust
#17RPlays: Right wing · 0% of faceoffs
Pittsburgh Penguins
HEIGHT : 180 cm · WEIGHT : 93 kg · SHOOTS : R
Born : May 10, 1992 · Pontiac, United States
Drafted : 2010 · PIT · round 3, pick #80
Contract : $5,125,000 · 2022-23 → 2027-28 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFANMC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| 2025-26 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 72 | 29 | 36 | 65 | 26 |
| 2024-25 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 71 | 31 | 34 | 65 | 18 |
| 2023-24 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 62 | 28 | 28 | 56 | 20 |
| 2022-23 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 81 | 20 | 26 | 46 | 31 |
| 2021-22 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 60 | 24 | 34 | 58 | 14 |
| 2020-21 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 56 | 22 | 20 | 42 | 18 |
| 2019-20 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 55 | 27 | 29 | 56 | 30 |
| 2018-19 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 72 | 18 | 17 | 35 | 24 |
| 2017-18 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 69 | 13 | 25 | 38 | 26 |
| 2016-17 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 57 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 8 |
| 2015-16 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 41 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 12 |
| 2014-15 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| NHL totals | 717 | 235 | 272 | 507 | 235 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 2021-22 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| 2020-21 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 2019-20 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2018-19 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2017-18 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 12 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 2016-17 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 23 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 10 |
| 2015-16 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 23 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Playoff totals | 85 | 22 | 15 | 37 | 36 | |
Honours
- 🏆 Stanley Cup2 times · 2016-17, 2015-16
Bryan Rust: our analysis
2025-26 season: 72 GP, 29 G, 36 A, 65 PTS, 0 +/-, 19:57 TOI. WAR 1.1 (154th of 615) · PAL 52, around average.
In 2025-26, Bryan Rust, 34, posts a PAL Rating of 52 out of 100 (around average), and his WAR of 1.1 ranks 154th among 615 regulars, in the top half.
His strengths: creation (86, among the best in the league), shooting (86, among the best in the league) and offense (82, well above average). On the other hand, defense (5, among the weakest in the league) and possession (25, well below average) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: finishing (+2.8); his biggest cost: EV defense (-3.5).
A marked decline: his PAL was 61 in 2024-25, against 52 now; his WAR went from 1.7 to 1.1.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 37 (poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Bryan Rust's story
Growing up in Pontiac, Michigan, Rust moved from Detroit minor hockey into the USA Hockey development pipeline, earning a spot with the USNTDP after improving his skating following an initial rejection. That pathway led him to the 2010 under‑18 world championship, where he helped the United States reach and win the final.
Although drafted by Mississauga in the OHL selection draft, Rust opted for college hockey and enrolled at the University of Notre Dame. Pittsburgh selected him 80th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft while he prepared for his freshman season; he spent four seasons with the Fighting Irish and completed studies at Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business. His collegiate years combined early promise, a midseason injury, and a breakout junior year offensively.
Rust turned professional in April 2014 with a two‑way entry‑level deal and joined the Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL. After strong play and multiple recalls, he made his NHL debut for Pittsburgh in December 2014 and scored his first NHL goal two nights later. The next seasons included further development between the AHL and NHL, interrupted by injuries but also by growing contributions to the big club.
He was an active member of Pittsburgh’s back‑to‑back Stanley Cup victories in 2016 and 2017, delivering key goals in playoff series and recording notable postseason totals in 2016. Highlights from the following seasons include a hat‑trick in December 2016 and several clutch goals in playoff elimination games, though injuries periodically limited his availability.
On the ice, Rust is known for smart positioning and an ability to finish crucial chances. Comfortable on different lines, he has shown a knack for producing in high‑pressure situations and adapting his game alongside top teammates.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 17:22
- PP TOI/GP
- 1:28
- SH TOI/GP
- 1:44
- Pts/GP
- 0.71
- EV points
- 3
- Hits
- 8
- Blocks
- 6
- Takeaways
- 2
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 47.9 %
- Off. zone starts
- 43.9 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
49between 27 and 71 (80% range)
- Goals
- 22
- Assists
- 27
- Games
- 60
So far: 5 pts in 7 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.84 pts per game (last season: 0.90).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 0.90 in 23-24, 0.90 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 61 → 52
Outlook, age included
↘ Slight declineAge 34: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
Injured reserve· Lower Body· expected back December 5
OV · OverallConfidence 84 %
81
Very good
- SK
- Skating
- 78
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 71
- Confidence 87 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 88
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 77
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 64
- Confidence 87 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 68
- Confidence 64 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 72
- Confidence 87 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 83
- Confidence 84 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 85
- Confidence 84 %
- DF
- Defense
- 49
- Confidence 81 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 52
- Confidence 50 %
- EX
- Experience
- 90
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating78
- Top speed (35 %)36.3 · 79
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)6.339 · 79
- Distance /60 (20 %)15.9 · 69
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.7 · 80
ST — Strength71
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)3.359 · 67
- Body mass (50 %)0.027 · 76
EN — Endurance88
- Ice time per game (45 %)18 · 90
- Total ice time (20 %)1,380 · 86
- Shift length (15 %)46.7 · 78
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)16.6 · 87
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)3.905 · 93
DU — Durability77
- Share of games played (100 %)0.827 · 77
CK — Checking64
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.757 · 65
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)2.131 · 64
- Season volume (10 %)3.584 · 67
FG — Fighting68
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.735 · 68
DI — Discipline72
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)0.01 · 71
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.555 · 79
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.616 · 65
PA — Passing83
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.847 · 80
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.592 · 81
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.141 · 80
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)5.266 · 85
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.617 · 80
SC — Scoring85
- Goals /60 (25 %)1.226 · 85
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)1.096 · 87
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.394 · 80
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)1.73 · 84
- xG per shot (10 %)0.083 · 84
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)15.5 · 79
DF — Defense49
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.132 · 58
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.397 · 48
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.955 · 49
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.078 · 56
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-2.003 · 64
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)61.7 · 56
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)3.06 · 85
PS — Penalty shot52
- Shootouts (60 %)29 · 48
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience90
- Career regular-season games (65 %)93
- Career playoff games (25 %)84
- NHL seasons (10 %)87
OV — Overall81
- SC · Scoring (28 %)85
- PA · Passing (22 %)83
- DF · Defense (18 %)49
- SK · Skating (12 %)78
- EN · Endurance (8 %)88
- DI · Discipline (5 %)72
- ST · Strength (4 %)71
- CK · Checking (3 %)64
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 81 | 78 | 85 | 49 |
| 2024-25 | 81 | 79 | 86 | 48 |
| 2023-24 | 80 | 79 | 84 | 57 |
| 2022-23 | 74 | 76 | 77 | 65 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
1.1
wins above replacement
154 of 615
PAL Rating
52/ 100
Performance · Around average
213 of 476 at the position
Value Rating
37/ 100
Poor return
5.13 M$ · expected PAL 64
ProfileOffensiveValue comes mostly from offense
- Offense
- 81
- Defense
- 8
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 82
- Creation
- 86
- Shooting
- 86
- Possession
- 25
- Defense
- 5
- Discipline
- 39
- Power play
- 82
- Penalty kill
- 79
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | PIT | 1.1 | 52 | 37 | 5.13 M$ |
| 2024-25 | PIT | 1.7 | 61 | 40 | 5.13 M$ |
| 2023-24 | PIT | 0.9 | 70 | 49 | 5.13 M$ |
| 2022-23 | PIT | -0.9 | 46 | 24 | 5.13 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
32/ 100
Below average
better than 32% of forwards, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
65/ 100
Average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
20/ 100
Below average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 287 of 424 forwards.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 61
- Shot selection
- 76
- Penalties drawn
- 43
- Puck management
- 44
Defense
- Takeaways
- 5
- Discipline
- 44
- Safe zone exits
- 34
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | PIT | 32 | 65 | 20 |
| 2024-25 | PIT | 73 | 66 | 68 |
| 2023-24 | PIT | 68 | 58 | 66 |
| 2022-23 | PIT | 26 | 40 | 23 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
1.1
wins above replacement
0.2 to 2.1 — 90% interval
154 of 615 forwards
+5.7 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +2.5
- EV defense
- -3.5
- Power play
- +0.4
- Penalty kill
- -0.2
- Shooting
- +2.8
- Penalties
- +0.2
- Average → replacement
- +3.6
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | PIT | 72 | 1.1 | 0.2 to 2.1 | 154/615 |
| 2024-25 | PIT | 68 | 1.7 | 0.3 to 3.0 | 91/596 |
| 2023-24 | PIT | 62 | 0.9 | -0.3 to 2.0 | 167/608 |
| 2022-23 | PIT | 81 | -0.9 | -1.9 to 0.1 | 601/617 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 108.6 km/h6th percentileleague avg. 130.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 34.9 km/h40th percentileleague avg. 35.2 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 1132nd percentileleague avg. 21
- Offensive zone time
- 40.9 %39th percentileleague avg. 43.1 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 29.3 km25th percentileleague avg. 52.2 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.05 km69th percentileleague avg. 4.52 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 41.3 %54th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.6 %27th percentileleague avg. 16.8 %
- Defensive zone time
- 41.5 %31st percentileleague avg. 40.1 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 925th percentile | 366th percentile | 33.3 %99th percentile |
| High danger | 539th percentile | 274th percentile | 40.0 %92nd percentile |
| Mid range | 119th percentile | 054th percentile | 0.0 %32nd percentile |
| Long range | 153rd percentile | 092nd percentile | 0.0 %87th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
UTA
VGK
COL
CHI
DAL
CBJ
WSHBryan Rust: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Bryan Rust have in 2026-27?
Bryan Rust has 3 goals and 5 points (2 assists) in 7 games in 2026-27.
How old is Bryan Rust?
Bryan Rust is 34 years old: he was born on May 11, 1992.
How tall is Bryan Rust, and how much does he weigh?
Bryan Rust is 5'11" (180 cm) and weighs 205 lb (93 kg).
Where is Bryan Rust from?
United States: Bryan Rust was born in Pontiac, Michigan, United States.
What team does Bryan Rust play for?
Bryan Rust plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, at R, wearing number 17.
Is Bryan Rust injured?
Yes: Bryan Rust is on injured reserve (lower body). He is expected back around December 5.
How good is Bryan Rust?
Bryan Rust produced 1.1 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 154th of 615 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 52 out of 100: around average for his position.
How much does Bryan Rust make?
Bryan Rust earns $5.1M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 37 out of 100 (poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Bryan Rust's contract end?
Bryan Rust's contract runs through the 2027-28 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC clause.
Is Bryan Rust overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 37 out of 100 (poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Bryan Rust a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 154th of 615 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Bryan Rust getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 61 in 2024-25 to 52 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Bryan Rust played lately?
Over his last 7 games, Bryan Rust has 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists).
What are Bryan Rust's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Bryan Rust has 717 games, 235 goals, 272 assists and 507 points. His best season: 2025-26, with 65 points in 72 games.
Where was Bryan Rust drafted?
Bryan Rust was drafted 80th overall (round 3) by Pittsburgh Penguins in 2010.
How does Bryan Rust perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Bryan Rust has 85 games and 37 points in his career. His pace (0.44 points per game) is lower than his regular-season pace (0.71).
Which player is most similar to Bryan Rust?
Pavel Zacha: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Pavel Zacha's page →Is Bryan Rust a good fantasy pick?
Yes, a solid pick: our projection has him at 49 points in 2026-27, or 0.82 points per game.
Does Bryan Rust have siblings?
Yes: his brother Matt Rust (played professional ice hockey; last played for the Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins (2011–12 AHL season)), his sister Erika Rust (high school English teacher and women’s soccer coach).
Is Bryan Rust married?
Yes, married to Kelsey Burton (July 13, 2019).
What is Bryan Rust's nationality?
Bryan Rust is American. Internationally: Member of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (2008–2010).
What awards has Bryan Rust won?
Penguins Michel Brière Rookie of the Year Award (2016) ; NHL Third Star of the Week (week ending February 14, 2021) ; NHL Third Star of the Month — January (2022).
How many championships has Bryan Rust won?
2: Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2016); Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2017).
What is Bryan Rust's nickname?
He is nicknamed “Mr. Elimination”.
Where did Bryan Rust play before turning pro?
USA Hockey National Team Development Program (2008–2010); University of Notre Dame, Fighting Irish (2010–2014).
How many points is Bryan Rust projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 49 points in 60 games in 2026-27 (27 to 71 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)