Bryan Rust burst into 2024 with a pretty buoyant attitude.

At least that’s what one could surmise when the Pittsburgh Penguins forward took to the ice at PPG Paints Arena for a morning skate Tuesday waving to the handful of media members there to watch.

His quips and one-liners to reporters in the dressing room afterward didn’t do much to dispel rumors that he was in a good mood.

“Appreciate that. Thanks,” Rust chortled when it was pointed out the team entered Tuesday with a three-game winning streak while he was still sidelined.

Those positive vibes carried over to the evening as Rust returned to the lineup for a contest against the rival Washington Capitals after missing 10 games due to an undisclosed injury.

Activated from long-term injured reserve, Rust found himself in a somewhat newer but not unfamiliar role to open the contest on the second line, skating with Evgeni Malkin at center and Reilly Smith on the left wing.

Rust is typically arc-welded onto the right side of franchise center Sidney Crosby’s line (which includes Jake Guentzel at left wing). But he has plenty of experience in playing with Malkin as well.

There’s minimal adjustment necessary flipping between lines in Rust’s estimate.

“Just in the way that I can kind of read off each guy,” Rust said. “Each guy’s got their own strengths and types of playing. But for me, as far as the way I’m going to play and what I’m going to do, no.”

What Rust has done this season when he’s been healthy has been impressive. In 22 games before Tuesday, he has 20 points, including 10 goals, fourth-best on the team.

But that production has been pockmarked by persistent injuries. In addition to his recent 10-game absence, he missed three games in late November due to a different undisclosed malady.

“Every season has its own challenges of adversity,” Rust said. “And you’ve got to do your best to try to overcome them.”

To make room for Rust on the active roster, the Penguins assigned forward Vinnie Hinostroza and defenseman Ryan Shea to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Tuesday.

Hinostroza (Dec. 16) and Shea (Dec. 19) each cleared waivers recently, allowing them to be sent to the AHL club.

Additionally, forward Matt Nieto was transferred from regular injured reserve to long-term injured reserve. This maneuver allows the Penguins to remain compliant with the NHL’s salary cap ceiling by relieving them of some of Nieto’s cap figure of $900,000.

Sidelined since suffering an injury Dec. 2, Nieto has missed 13 games and already exceeded the 10-day and 24-day requirement for a designation to long-term injured reserve, meaning he can rejoin the active roster at any time.

That said, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan labeled Nieto’s status as “longer term” when asked about his recovery after a morning skate Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena.

Crosby OK

Crosby has a new look to open 2024. And it isn’t voluntary.

The Penguins captain was sporting a black left eye and an accompanying abrasion underneath it Tuesday morning. That cosmetic change came from New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, who struck Crosby in the face with his stick on a follow-through during the Penguins’ 3-1 home win on Sunday.

Crosby left the contest for just over seven minutes of game time during the second period before returning.

He indicated the injury does not present an impediment on the ice.

Crosby was brief in his comments about the look Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray sported Sunday.

Entering Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia before a contest with the Eagles, Murray wore a replica of one of Crosby’s older Penguins jerseys, then led the Cardinals to a surprising 35-31 win.

Mindful of how any comments he may have could be perceived by his many detractors in Philadelphia, Crosby was curt when asked about Murray’s wardrobe but admitted some curiosity.

“I would love to know the story behind it,” Crosby said. “I have somewhat of an idea. But it would be cool to hear the story behind it.”

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