Bryan Rust is a bonafide superstar for the Pittsburgh Penguins

Bryan Rust #17 of the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Rust has risen from a questionable depth forward to an indispensable part of the Penguins’ lineup in his seven seasons in Pittsburgh

Bryan Rust’s first season with the Penguins back in 2014-15 didn’t provide much confidence, even in just a 14 game sample.

A third-round pick in 2010, Rust debuted as a 22-year-old rookie and scored two points—a goal and an assist—with a -3 plus/minus in just over 12 minutes per game. It wasn’t the most inspiring debut, and his sophomore season wasn’t a whole lot better.

In 41 games, Rust scored 11 points—four goals and seven assists—in 12 and a half minutes per game. Rust was +1 when on…