Pierre LeBrun Names Veteran Penguins Forward Atop Trade Candidate List
The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the verge of a pivotal offseason, and NHL insider Pierre LeBrun made it clear on TSN's "OverDrive" that the front office is fully open to change.
Advertisement
LeBrun clarified, however, that the Penguins are open to trading all pieces in their roster except for the "legacy" players within the organization, meaning Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and most probably Kris Letang.
'They're listening [to trade offers] on everyone that aren't legacy guys,' LeBrun said. 'You know, they're not gonna move Malkin or Crosby.'
LeBrun said the decision to shift toward selling didn't arrive until the middle of last season, but the club has since embraced a more open stance regarding its roster.
And with former Penguins forward Jake Guentzel already out the door following his trade to the Carolina Hurricanes at the 2024 trade deadline, LeBrun reported that veteran Bryan Rust appears next in line to leave Pittsburgh.
Advertisement
'Rust is the guy, the one that teams are calling on the most,' LeBrun said. 'Plenty of teams are eyeing him.'
Rust, 33, remains one of Pittsburgh's top contributors. He posted a career-high 65 points in just 71 games this past season, including another career high with 31 goals.
Rust still has three years remaining on the six-year, $30.75 million contract he signed in 2022.
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) celebrates a goal with Sidney Crosby (center) during a game played at Madison Square Garden.Danny Wild-Imagn Images
While Rust's full no-move clause has covered the first three seasons, that protection will no longer apply from July 1 on, giving GM Kyle Dubas complete control over a potential trade.
During his introductory press conference, new Penguins head coach Dan Muse said he plans on "leaning" on the veterans of the team.
Advertisement
'I've reached out to close to 95% of all players under contract,' Muse said. 'We're still finishing that part up. In regards to the veteran players, you're always working with the leaders. Guys that have been in this organization for such a long time. You're going to be leaning on them.'
Related: Penguins Coach Reveals Plans for Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh's Aging Core
Related: Elliotte Friedman Gets Painfully Honest About Possible Player-Coach Role for Sidney Crosby
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Paul Skenes dominant again, striking out 9 in 6 innings as Pirates blank D-backs 6-0
PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes struck out nine and gave up three hits in six innings, Oneil Cruz and Ke'Bryan Hayes drove in two runs each, and the Pittsburgh Pirates shut out the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second straight game, 6-0 on Sunday. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Skenes (6-8) is the first pitcher to have an ERA below 2 through his first 45 starts. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year sits at 1.89 for his career and 1.83 this year, which leads the majors. Skenes is the only starter this season who hasn't allowed a first-inning run. He struck out two in the first, including Geraldo Perdomo, who hadn't fanned in a league-best 39 straight at-bats. Jake McCarthy had a one-out triple in the second, but Skenes struck out James McCann and retired Alek Thomas on a popup to short. Skenes also worked around a leadoff double by Tristin English in the third. Cruz walked leading off the Pirates second and the majors stolen base leader with 34 was off and running when Tommy Pham singled to center field on a 1-2 pitch from Zac Gallen for a 1-0 lead. Gallen (7-12) allowed four runs on five hits in six innings. Arizona scored one run in the three-game series, winning 1-0 in 11 innings Friday night. Skenes hit Eugenio Suárez with a 3-2 pitch leading off the fourth and McCarthy doubled him to third with one out. Skenes then struck out McCann on three pitches and Thomas on six. Skenes has allowed one run or fewer in 14 of 22 starts this season after doing it 14 times as a rookie. The D-backs head to Detroit to begin a series against the Tigers on Monday, and the Pirates play at San Francisco. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
3 Forwards Not Named Rust Or Rakell That The Penguins Should Shop This Summer
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been the subject of a plethora of trade speculation this summer, as big-name veterans like Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust have been in the rumor mill for quite some time.


CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Pittsburgh Pirates legend Dave Parker inducted into National Baseball Hall of Fame
Longtime Pirates outfielder Dave Parker was officially enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, almost exactly a month after his death after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. His son read a poem written by "the Cobra" as he accepted a plaque on his father's behalf. "I told y'all Cooperstown would be my last ride," Parker wrote. "So the star of Dave will be in the sky tonight. Watch it glow." The Pirates have been paying tribute to Parker all weekend, including unveiling a new concrete baseball with Parker's name on it, which will sit on the riverwalk, an honor only bestowed on Hall of Famers. Some fans grew emotional when discussing Parker. "If there's someone who deserves to be in the hall of fame, it's him," said one fan at Sunday's game. "The way he played, the spirit, the drive, the way he drove not just himself but everyone around him to be what they could." One man from Greensburg said he remembers watching Parker when he was growing up. "What a fantastic honor," he said of Parker making it into the Hall of Fame. "He was a great player and quite a personality, and we were lucky as a team to have him in Pittsburgh." His personality was also shown through in his attire, with some fans calling him a "fashion icon," recalling the hat and shirt he'd wear, along with the time they said Parker wore a hockey mask to a game. At Sunday's game, fans left messages for Parker and his family at a wall at PNC Park. His son, Dave Parker II, spoke on Parker's behalf at the induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. "I know my pops is so touched on how the Steel City fans have welcomed him back. Each and every one of you meant the world to him," Parker II said. He recalled driving through Pittsburgh with his father many years ago and passing billboards and installations that celebrated the city's cultural history. "Pops loved to say, 'Man, you see these legends. I see old friends. You pass a restaurant, 'I know Dick Primanti.' You pass a jazz mural, 'I know Walt Harper.'" Parker died a month before giving a speech he'd been writing for years, but not before passing a poem to his son to read. "I'm him, period, the Cobra," the poem read. "I'm a Pirate for life. Wouldn't have it no other way. That was my family, even though I didn't go on parade day. I love y'all." He penned that the Pirates will always be on his heart. "I'm in the Hall. Now you can't take that away. That statue better look good. You know, I got a pretty face, top-tier athlete, fashion icon, sex symbol." The Pirates, ahead of Sunday's game, said they would show part of the ceremony at PNC Park. The team will also wear "Cobra" patches on their uniforms for the remainder of the season. Parker was 74 years old.