mouser
Business of Hockey
Did anyone do this during the last expansion draft with Vegas?
I feel like it's pretty unlikely. If you're a guy wanting to re-sign with your team, you usually want to get that extension done ASAP (so an injury for example can't hurt your stock). Most guys who aren't re-signed by the end of the regular season/playoffs are at least considering going to free agency. Would be a big leap of faith for both team and player to do that arrangement.
Yes, some teams had handshake deals with pending UFA’s to re-sign after the expansion draft.
However I think almost every one was a older veteran who was not facing their first UFA opportunity. I would be very cautious about that approach if I’m Colorado. It would not just be opening up Landeskog to being drafted by Seattle, it’s opening a window where the other 30 teams can discuss a UFA contract with him.