As a fan of Michigan hockey I am glad to see him going to the pros but not by going to Columbus. I've been to 75 Jackets games and trust me when I say that players with skill, talent and good ability end up becoming nothing here. The only good move that Columbus has made since entry into the league was getting Rick Nash. Can Matt Rust help or will he leave or possibly even be traded as soon as the season starts? I just feel like his potential will be wasted in Columbus.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/matt_rust
[mod note: there is no indication or reason to believe Rust will be heading to Columbus anytime soon and is expected to stay with UM all four years until he or someone else in the know says otherwise]




He's better off now that Hitchcock is gone (which should temper your evaluation of all Columbus prospects), but it'll be a long road for him to make it to the NHL, if he does at all. The only thing that might get him to the NHL with Columbus is Columbus' relative lack of depth at center. The problem is that he projects as a 3rd-4th liner and his size will probably hold him back. It'll be interesting to see what happens, though.