Quoting: Mr_Gardoki
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.