They absolutely did. How you can't see this is mind-boggling.
They went out and used their best trade chip (and one of the best trade chips across the league) on a top 15 player and did NOT have a contract extension on hand.
They then, tried to force said player, to sign an eight year extension after a couple weeks and said we're shipping you if you don't sign an extension.
Said player says he's not going to sign, and then Carolina lets the transaction go to the last minute of the TDL and then is unable to parlay his first rounders for impact players now (ADMITTED by your GM out loud).
Carolina is LUCKY that Dallas threw them a lifeboat.
You're too focused on the results (which aren't good either) instead of the process.
If Carolina trades Necas for a 2C with term, then everyone's happy and can move on with their lives. Tulsky took an ill-advised swing and missed badly. It's ok to admit when your management team makes mistakes.
Reputation matters... you think this is a good look for Carolina? You think players are going to be impressed by what we just saw? It's going to be even harder to get players to come to Carolina now.
F'ing around with Guentzel's negotiations so he can go to a divisional rival, and then the subsequent Rantanen disaster class. Eek.