Once the Jake Guentzel trade happened, we all expected the dominos to start to fall.

I did not think, however, that Chad Ruhwedel would be the first one.

The Penguins traded the veteran defenseman to the New York Rangers in exchange for a fourth round pick in 2027.

Woof.

Ruhwedel, 33, has played in 47 games for the Penguins this year. He has 4 points, is a -4 on the year, and has 4 penalty minutes. What is it with this guy and 4?

Ruhwedel has been a depth defenseman for the Penguins for years. Usually pretty reliable, Ruhwedel has been the kind of defenseman to quietly to his work in the zone, and for rather cheap as well. Ruhwedel is in the last of a two year deal paying him $800K a season.

In an article I did earlier this week, I tabbed Ruhwedel as a sleeper candidate to be traded. At the time, I wrote:

“That being said, he (ideally) is not a top four defenseman for a contender, and Ruhwedel does not have the big name value and recognition that other defenseman who have been moved/are likely to be moved do.

To me, a potential Ruhwedel trade seems comparable to the Mark Streit trade back in 2017. In looking to acquire experienced depth at defense, the Penguins sent a fourth round pick to Tampa Bay (who had picked him up just hours prior from Philly) in exchange for Streit, at half retained.

Streit, like Ruhwedel, was a pending UFA, but was several years older and also a lot more money.

Retention shouldn’t be necessarily on Ruhwedel, but a return for his services would probably be around that of Streit. Is it worth it?”

I won’t lie, I put a lot of pride into calling that trade very well, but in that piece I also stated that I would not have done that deal.

A fourth round pick three years from now in exchange for an everyday defenseman is…very underwhelming.

This trade does potentially allow John Ludvig to get into the fold full time. Provided the Penguins don’t bring in someone to fill that spot, it should fall to Ludvig.

Kyle Dubas is a fan of Ludvig. Mike Sullivan? Not so much. But Sully might not have a choice at this point.

Best of luck in New York, Chad! You will be missed.

(Featured photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)