Gillis is saying what he is supposed to say to the media. Players that ask for NTC's want an NTC for that security, for themselves, and for their families. Vancouver is already a tough sell for a lot of free agents, and if players feel like an offer being made by Gillis with an NTC included is a promise he is going to go back on, how are we expected to lure any decent free agents, or re-sign RFA's.
Like Gillis alluded to, I'm sure player's NTC's have been discussed, and whether he has asked guys about their NTC's or not, that is not going to come out in the media in a way that it comes off as Gillis pressuring guys to waive. It's going to get spun like the player wanted to move on, and they came to an agreement.