To answer the question you can trade for him and re-sign him without other teams bidding for him. I highly doubt a Stanley Cup winning goalie will want to come to a team who hasn't made the playoffs in 12 years though.
I'd be very surprised to think Fleury would sign here or Husso, why would either come to a non contending team? Other than money which both will most likely get on a winning team.
I can't speak for him but I've read alot on how trades really mess with personal lives of athletes and I'd guess it was him not wanting to relocate for the 3rd or 4th time. Again I have no way of knowing this but if he saw it as a neutral move why would he you know?