The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forwards Bryan Rust, Scott Wilson and Tom Kuhnhackl to two-year contract extensions, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Jim Rutherford.
All three deals begin with the 2016-17 season and run through the 2017-18 campaign. The Rust contract has an average annual value of $640,000, while both Wilson and Kuhnhackl have average annual values of $625,000.
The three rookies have been integral components of the Penguins’ second-half turnaround, providing speed, energy and a blue-collar approach as secondary contributors.
When the Penguins defeated the New York Rangers by a 5-3 count on Sunday, Rust and Kuhnhackl were on the ice in the final minute alongside Sidney Crosby as Pittsburgh protected a one-goal lead.