Bryan Rust has been activated from injured reserve by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The move comes just in time for Saturday's game against the New York Rangers. To make room for Rust on the roster, forward Ville Koivunen has been assigned to the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Rust, 33, had been sidelined with a lower-body injury sustained during training camp, causing him to miss the first two games of the 2025-26 season. Penguins head coach Dan Muse recently stated that Rust was getting "closer to returning to action" after practice. Rust himself participated fully in practice on October 8, signaling a positive step in his recovery.

Rust is expected to slot back into a top-six role, likely reuniting with Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell on the top line. This trio enjoyed considerable success last season, and Rust's return is anticipated to provide a significant boost to the Penguins' offense. Koivunen, who had been filling in on the top line, will now head to the AHL after being held off the scoresheet in his first two NHL games.

Last season, Rust had a career year, recording 31 goals and 34 assists in 71 games. He averaged nearly 20 minutes of ice time per night and proved to be a valuable offensive contributor for the team.

Despite his importance to the Penguins, Rust's name has been frequently mentioned in trade rumors. His consistent production, combined with a team-friendly $5.25 million cap hit through the 2027-28 season, makes him an attractive asset for other teams. President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas acknowledged the possibility of trading Rust during the offseason, stating he "would look at anything".

However, some insiders believe that Rust is likely to remain in Pittsburgh. Josh Yohe of The Athletic suggested that Rust is a popular figure within the organization, and the Penguins may prefer to keep him. Rust himself is reportedly "aware" of the trade speculation but remains committed to the Penguins.

Several teams have been linked to Rust in trade rumors, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets and Edmonton Oilers. The Penguins are reportedly seeking young prospects in any potential trade for Rust or Rickard Rakell.

With Rust's return from injury, the Penguins are hoping he can replicate his success from last season and help the team compete in a tough Eastern Conference. Whether he remains in Pittsburgh long-term remains to be seen, but for now, his activation from injured reserve provides a welcome boost to the Penguins' lineup.