I haven't really been following the discussion, but as much as people want to be upset with the NHL if this is the decision they've come to, I'm guessing it's likely because they legally feel they are required too based on the NMC verbiage in contracts. As dumb as it sounds, and even if it's a moot point, if the contract is still valid during the draft, and being picked up by the expansion team is considered movement (whether the player ever plays there or not) they probably have to protect those contracts.
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