Rust is one of four players remaining from back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017. Defenseman Kris Letang, Malkin and Crosby also won the Stanley Cup in 2009. A return to the old ways can't just be on them.

Following Pittsburgh’s loss to Dallas, Evgeni Malkin didn’t hold back, offering some blunt remarks about the team’s current struggles, via Penguins Hockey Now. “We need to stop looking at each other. We need to play with each other,” he said.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) receives a holding penalty during the third period of the Dallas Stars 7-1 win at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Monday, November 11, 2024. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI.