No I don't think that is correct.
Landeskog was a UFA. Means that Seattle could try to sign him and then that would have counted as a COL pick for the expansion draft. Much like how Edler was a UFA and not protected in the draft. Landeskog asking price may have scared SEA from attempting to sign him though. But whatever the case, it was always Landeskog in control of where he wanted to go.
That really doesn't make sense since there was an offer in place for Tanev ($4M x 2yr). Tanev didn't like it and signed with Calgary ($4.5M x 4yr).
I think Schmidt was just a chance as Vegas was close to signing AP and quickly needed to dump his contract.
Let's see...
EP - $7M x 4yr bridge
QH - $6M x 3yr bridge
Hamonic - $2M x 3yr
Schenn - $1M x 2yr
Dickinson - $2.25 x 3yr
OJ - $1M x 2yr
Halak - $2M x 1yr
------
Total = $21.5M
Approx $9M left to get a RHD or other. Maybe less if EP and QH get a bigger salary for a long term contract.
Thanks for the link.
If anything, JB is not a diplomatic person. Kinda tells the truth a bit too much. Not a poker player for sure. Could have handle it better but he's not wrong in his assessment. Canucks felt Dahlen needed some improvement. Dahlen camp thought otherwise. Thus the trade.
And JB cannot be faulted for some stupid rabid fans trolling Dahlen.
So it's the fans that went after him. But I still don't recall JB talking about entitlement. Unless you think players should be gifted a spot instead of having to earn a roster spot.
Seattle (on paper) doesn't look good. That might mean 4 straight top 5 picks. Including draft years for Shane wright and Bedard.
Tempting to take the 4 x 1sts.