I think from the NHL side they have to look to be protecting Vegas, but that doesn't mean common sense won't come into it.
Lets assume Stone looks good and the Flames are interested. So Stone and Versteeg are both players that in a normal year Calgary would extend before July 1st.
This year they don't because of the expansion draft.
If they say wait until after the draft and we can sign you for this much and this terms, then they've gone too far.
But I think it would come down to the player not wanting to sign because they'd be left unprotected and lose their control. Why would Stone or Versteeg take that risk? Similarly the Flames would balk at either agent asking for a non moment clause.
So you get a stalemate because of the expansion draft, but with both players knowing what's on the table but refusing to sign it.
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