How does it create a hole on D when you have 5 RHD signed thru next year with 1 of them playing the off side D and Ty Smith ready to jump in on the left side? If anything, RHD is the position you can give someone up, save much needed cap for other moves and speed on without worrying about it. The decision will just have to be Ruuta (negative player - negative value) or Petry (good player, but not worth his contract) - negative value). Moving down those three spots is the Wings picking up that negative value just like @buffbry is saying.

Look I hear your argument on Petry, I actually like him, but similar to Chairot the contract is not good.

We disagree on a many things here...

1) I don't believe Ty Smith is an NHL player.
2) I didn't say the Petry contract itself is good, but I still believe he's a good player.
3) Moving Petry creates a hole because now we have no other dman capable of manning the PP or real offensive production if Petry is gone.

Rutta doesn't have negative value. I'm not saying he's got crazy value, but a third is perfectly fair for two years of Rutta.

Pass

I hear your viewpoint and yes we disagree.

1) Rutta can be a minute munching 3rd pair D, but that can also be done for $1M veteran on a minimum year deal
2) Ty Smith is young enough to bounce-back and is capable of running the PP as you know he is very offensive. I also think he should be moved for another D as he doesn't fit the Pens style well.
3) Letang and the 1st unit basically play the whole 2 mins anyway
4) No NHL should or probably would pay a 3rd for Ruuta straight up... maybe a failed prospect or change of scenery vet that has cap in/out
5) Cap savings from Petry or Rutta can find you a younger D that can run the PP and most likely makes more money with longer term upside. It is only smart to move them as these 2 are not getting you the cup or moving you that much closer to it vs plugging bigger holes on your roster (consistent OFF depth / goalie).

Absolutely disagree on #4

As for #5... who are you getting to replace Petry? It's a common trope on this board to say "they can just go find X." If it were that easy every team would have what they need. Cap savings give them the room to replace, but the players need to be available. Who do you think is so easily available to replace them?

Take a quick look at this UFA class and all these players will make less than Petry at $6.25 at 35/36 years old. Dumba, Severson, Klingberg (enticing for a PP specialist and 3rd pair on the cheap), Ghost. Even if finding another good D that eats top 4 minutes and will be paid way less than $6 - Soucy, Gavrikov, Clifton, Holl. Think this way, bring one of these guys on and you ride yourself of Petry/Rutta then you basically have the money to re-sign Zucker or another top 6 scoring winger while having enough cap left to get a starting goalie and round out some FWD depth. This is all while giving up no assets.

If willing to give up assets there are younger players looking for a change of scenery -- Addison (will run that PP), Lassi Thomson, Durzi/Roy/Walker (one of them has to go) from LA, could get Barrie for peanuts, Whitecloud or Hague from Vegas, Demelo or Pionk from WPG as they plan on moving someone.... the list can go on.