Speculation. But more to the point, if all of that was true, why would he pretend to want to sign or want to stay. Most teams would think no chance he makes it to FA. A month ago, teams that may have wanted him could have started making moves and asking about his rights. Even in CBJ, he was accepting a basic non-competitive offer. He would have had a longer list of places to choose from. Teams start figuring out thing at the end of the season and leading up to the draft an FA. Not 12 hours before.
Honestly, I was a fan from day 1. Watched his career after draft. Checked on scores weekly. I just think there is way more to the story that we will never hear. Radio silence is not the way to make a deal, unless you have no intention of signing. If CBJ was the place he wanted to go, he took a strange way of getting there. Really only one other team making a bid.