I think it was discussed on here earlier this summer and the conclusion was that he was exempt. As is Kaut for that matter. Not sure if there was ever an "official" confirmation in either case though.
After this summers moves (mainly the Barrie trade) you can see what Sakic is working towards with the expansion draft in mind:
- Mackinnon
- Rantanen
- Landeskog
- Kadri
- Jost
- Compher
- Donskoi
Based on the current roster that would expose:
- Burakovsky, Wilson, Nieto, Calvert, Bellemare, Nichuskin, Greer, Kamenev
- Zadorov, Cole, Connauton, Barberio, Graves, Rosén, Meloche
- Francouz
Exempt:
- Kaut, Newhook, Bowers, Kovalenko
- Byram, Timmins, Hellesson
- Werner, Annunen
With this group of prospects just on the cusp it seems like the expansion draft will come at a perfect time for the Avs, with less than a year before several of the exemptions would cease being exempt.