I would consider that

Yeah I feel like it benefits both sides, Pens are looking to make one or two last pushes with the big 3, and the Sabres are still a couple years away from contending for the cup.

Paying Petry effectively $9.8mm seems like way too much.

Two teams going in opposite directions: the Sabres may be closer to Cup contention than the Penguins are. Thinking that the trio of Crosby-Malkin-Letang all over age of 35 have another Cup run in them is wishful thinking, no matter what magic Dubas does with the roster around them. The Penguins should be the ones retaining, not Buffalo.

And, no, the deal heavily favors Penguins by giving them two effective players at half-price while relieving them of a big cap hit.

Probably the Penguins say no, but it's not a bad trade

Sabres should be happy to do this.

My only question would be - Does 14OA +13OA + an A prospect (say, Savoie) pull you into the top 5?

Hm.