Jets decline and let Seattle take him and Harkins/Gustafsson takes his place. That way the Jets don't lose both Appleton and Stanley for futures who won't show up in the NHL for 4 years if at all.

Totally makes sense and appears that if WPG resign Copp then Appleton will not be protected and will be selected by SEA. Stanley is also not protected and could be the alternative selection. But WPG stand to lose just one of those guys, so trading the other away doesn't make sense.

How would WPG view the following trade before the ED?
To VAN: Appleton + Stanley
To WPG: Rathbone + Lind + Gadjovich + Highmore

Rathbone is a budding offensive LHD exempt from Expansion Draft and is ready to play in the NHL. Lind and Gadjovich are also ready to play in the NHL but are not exempt. Highmore is a cheap, high energy 4th line guy who is a proven playoff performer, not exempt.

Then Seattle probably select Lind, Gadjovich or Harkins from WPG. Let's say it is Harkins. Essentially WPG get to choose either option A or option B below:

OPTION A
To SEA: Appleton
To WPG: Nothing

OPTION B
To WPG: Rathbone + Lind + Gadjovich + Highmore
To VAN: Appleton + Stanley
To SEA: Harkins

The Jets like to run little and large when it comes to their defensive pairings (to their detriment at times), so I doubt they would want to part with Stanley who they would likely want on the 2nd pair next year... at least to start the year.

Option A: Lose one roster player (Appleton)

Option B: Lose two roster players (Appleton and Stanley) for another LHD prospect when they already two LHD prospects ready to compete for a spot (Samberg and Heinola). If Rathbone was RHD then it would be more interesting. I believe if they run Morrissey, Stanley, Heinola then Samberg (LHD) becomes part trade bait for a RHD

I think the trade the Jets would do would be with Seattle and not a third-party. That said, they shouldn't over think it and should just let seattle take appleton

doh.double post instead of editing.

The Jets would pick option A, no question.