Rust signs four-year contract with Penguins

Bryan Rust signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. It runs through the 2021-22 season and has an average annual value of $3.5 million.
The 26-year-old forward could have become a restricted free agent July 1.

"He's an important player for us," Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "He can move up and down the lineup and play both wings, albeit the right side is more natural for him. And he's a good penalty killer. Getting him locked into four years was important. We're happy to have him."

Rust scored 13 goals and had NHL career-highs in assists (25) and points (38) in 69 games with the Penguins this season. He had 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) and was plus-17 in his final 31 games.
He also scored three goals in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Pittsburgh selected Rust in the third round (No. 80) of the 2010 NHL Draft. He has 79 points (33 goals, 46 assists) in 181 NHL games and 21 points (16 goals, five assists) in 58 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Four of his playoff goals have been game-winners. He won the Cup with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.