I don't know if counting on both Joseph and Smith next year is a good call.

Agreed. I don't see MP going anywhere now. Smith can go down to WBS and hopefully dominate, then next year Dumo's contract is off the books and maybe Smith can be a cheap replacement then?

Smith having <150 games and being eligible to be sent down to the AHL without waivers for the season makes me more ok with the trade. Build the player back up.

Joseph - Letang
Smith - Rutta

Joseph has had good chem with Tanger before when he came in for a little during the 20-21 season and had his fair share of games. As for Smith, it’s all about how we see him bounce back. If he doesn’t look too good, we can send him down to Wilkes-Barre and put One of either Friedman/Ruhwhedel in there and move Rutta to the left. Pettersson or Dumo will be moved next and then this defense logjam will be done.

I think the final pairs will look like this:

Joseph - Letang
Dumoulin - Petry
Smith - Rutta

First and second pairs can be flip flopped. But yea, it’s gonna be crazy to see how it all pans out. Excited though. I feel much more confident about this defense than I did last season. The defense is undoubtedly there.

I think move Rutta to the spot next to Petry. Have Ruhwedel on the third pair plus who's ever currently playing better between POJ and Smith would be fine