This is all very fair, but I think your glasses are a little more rose-colored because you're a fan of the team.
The way I like to think about it is to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Mainly, being that there are probably what, 20 teams where one trade can make a massive difference. So it's easy to go "tunnel-vision" and say, well, my team need only do this to avoid losing a good player in expansion, and we can make a trade to make our team better.
But imagine, instead, of just looking at your team, you looked at the 19 other teams that also felt that way. There's no way that 20 teams are going to be able to wheel and deal to avoid losing a big piece. Imagine reading every single trade all those teams needed to make. You'd read a post that long and say "no way all this happens, a few of these teams aren't going to get out of expansion without hurting".
Further, what can be said about Bieksa can also be said about Staal and Girardi, right?
Just replace '36 year old' with '33' and '30'. There's no chance LVGK selects Staal or G, but everyone understands that the Rangers both will not ask them to waive, nor would they if asked, most likely, even though it's the "right" move, it's not going to happen.
So. For my personal pettiness, I'm hoping Bieksa doesn't waive. But, it's not like I'd be heartbroken if you're right, and the Ducks are the kings of expansion either, as again, I harbor no ill-will towards your franchise.
