The Bryan Rust rumors don’t solve anything
1. Starting with the Bryan Rust rumors, they don’t make much sense. The 33-year-old winger wins the Cup twice with Mike Sullivan, but that is probably where the connection with the Rangers ends. While Rust would meet some needs, such as secondary scoring depth on the wing, those are the only criteria he meets. The Rangers want to get younger and faster, which the Bryan Rust rumors don’t address. He’s in the back nine of his career and Rangers don’t need another 33+ year old winger.
2. Another thing about the Bryan Rust rumors that doesn’t make sense is the contract. If Rust were a UFA, he might be a good hire if the Rangers continue to turn the corner. But Rust has two years left at $5.125 million, a contract that would prevent the Rangers from adding a significant piece either at the deadline or in the offseason.
Rust turns 34 in May, so his contract will take him through his age-35 season. Do the Rangers need another guy in the top six who is over 30 years old? That spot belongs to Gabe Perreault as soon as the Rangers deem him ready.
3. Finally, regarding the Bryan Rust rumors, there is a good argument that he would be “Artemi Panarin’s replacement” if the Rangers are looking to sign Panarin at the deadline. This doesn’t make sense since Rust isn’t Panarin. If the Rangers want to replace Panarin’s production, they need JT Miller to start producing more consistently or make a huge impact on a guy who isn’t a 33-year-old winger who will likely see a drop in production soon.
If you’re still with me, just know that the Bryan Rust rumors don’t make much sense. But at least they make more sense than what has been spewed about Erik Gustafsson.
Erik Gustafsson could be the 7D replacement, but that’s it
4. We have fond memories of Erik Gustafsson here in New York. He was an excellent Ranger and stepped in when Adam Fox went down with a knee injury. His 6-25-31 line was the third-best of his career, but he has fallen off a cliff over the past two seasons with Detroit. He played 60 games last season, tallying two goals and 18 points, before being sent to the AHL this season. He has 12 assists in 13 AHL games.
If you’re trying to make the argument that a current AHL defenseman can be the Rangers power play quarterback, I’m not sure what to tell you. Maybe if Gustafsson was a prospect for the revival. But Gustafsson is 33 years old, 34 in March.
5. Just like the Bryan Rust rumors, the Erik Gustafsson Rumors doesn’t make much sense because the Rangers have a prospect written into that spot. Scott Morrow has been shaky for a while, but is starting to show more confidence on the ice and is much more assertive with the puck. This is how the prospects are growing, and it would behoove the Rangers to let Morrow cook some more while Adam Fox is gone. Why would another veteran stand in the way of a better prospect?
6. If Chris Drury and Mike Sullivan think Gustafsson can add value as a depth defender or in the Hartford Wolf Pack, that’s a different story. I’m not sold on Matthew Robertson, even if he’s improving. Scott Morrow is showing more confidence and appears poised to take over PP1 points duties at some point during Fox’s injury. Urho Veelanainen is stable, but it is clear that Robertson has earned more trust from the coaching staff.
If the Rangers want a depth defenseman who can move the puck, Gustafsson would be a cheap option as a UFA pending a $2 million contract. Contrary to the rumors about Bryan Rust, Gustafsson does not have a long commitment for a player over 30 years old.
As always, take a step back and see if any of the rumors pass the sniff test. If we have to jump through hoops to make it meaningful, then it may not be viable.
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