The 144 rules do apply. Retire is correct about the common shares.
But, carrying Kei's notion of a buy out a little bit further we could see this as the management strengthening their position in the event a buy out is offered. Those shares would have to be compensated in some way by the offering company. Who knows at this point what the plan might be. But I do know that I have seen nothing from the company PR's about any plans to entertain buy outs. Who knows?