I thought that wasn't allowed on account of him being an expansion pick?
I don't think there's a restriction like that. Washington traded for Vanecek back after expansion for example.
I think the rules was that you couldn't tinker around with the cap hits, not that you cannot trade a player back, but I think this is in general and not expansion specific. We cannot trade Gio with the intention of bringing him back immediately salary retained by other clubs or bought out and then signed to a dirt cheap deal.
If we trade for Gio, there likely has to be a little bit of proof we evaluated other players and he was the best option (ie: The Orpik and Stone buyout situations, because there was enough proof that no other orgs could put up a deal that made sense for him other than their previous orgs). The proof that is needed is likely very loose. I believe you'd basically have to be kinda dumb or obviously not doing things in a fair manner to not be able to meet that minimum threshold.
I think this would be harder if there's a ton of other names on the market that seemingly make more sense and/or he is loosely targeted for "insurance" and unfairly traded back to us in a bizarre way that is unavailable to other orgs. I think it's much more fair if it's something like we acquire Gio as a rental because a key LD like Hanifin goes down and we need a top 4 rental to stay on pace for playoffs/for the playoffs and someone who would fit in quickly and easily or something like that. I think a part of the spirit of the rule is that the other clubs have to feel there is fairness as well.