Penguins' Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell begin fatherhood together after standout NHL seasons

The Pittsburgh Penguins may be way off in offseason mode, but two of their forwards are heading into a new adventure. Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell have just become fathers to newborns born just a day apart. Though their hockey season is behind them, their days are anything but quiet. With new babies at home, Rust and Rakell now begin a different grind, one involving diapers, bottles, and little to no sleep.

Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell shine both on and off ice
Bryan Rust had one of the best seasons of his NHL career in 2024-25. The 31-year-old right wing scored 31 goals and earned 65 points in just 71 games both career marks. Much of that was done playing alongside veteran captain Sidney Crosby. Their on-ice chemistry on the top line gave the Penguins a steady source of offense, even during the team's tougher times.


Rust's style of playing fast, thinking, and grind out was well-suited for Crosby. Rushing or battling in the corners, battling for pucks, he was able to make an impact. Rust's dependability, as an experienced veteran, was one of the main aspects of the Penguins' quest to stay in contention with the depth concerns and injury problems that besieged the roster.

Linemates who have babies one day apart 🥹 pic.twitter.com/i4bm5GY1z3

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 4, 2025

Rickard Rakell, however, bounced back in a big way this season. After a poor 2023-24 campaign in which he could not appear to get his goal-scoring going, Rakell rebounded in full. The player scored 35 goals and accumulated 70 points over 81 games in terms of performance resembling those that made him an intimidating top-six winger in his early days.


Most of the season saw Rickard Rakell placed alongside Crosby. Like Rust, he and Crosby were among the more deadly lines in the East. His quick release and savvy positional play meant that Rakell could cash in on scoring opportunities that would have otherwise been lost.

Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell highlight balance between pro hockey and real life joy
Just weeks into the offseason, Rakell and Rust both welcomed babies into their growing families with the arrivals just one day apart. It's a rare and beautiful coincidence for two close friends who already shared so much prosperity on the ice.


Now, they'll be trading late-night feedings, baby toys, and parenting war stories. For the Penguins franchise and fans, it's a fuzzy offseason news article that reminds everyone that life off the ice can be every bit as exciting as anything that happens on the ice.


Also Read: Pittsburgh Penguins Could Trade Rickard Rakell Before Deadline, But Will Kyle Dubas Pull The Trigger?