Would it be better to wait until next season to sign Demko anyways?

Assume the expansion drafts happen in 2017 and 2018, as most analysts predict, with the proposed rule of first and second year pro players being exempt.

Demko would have to be protected from the 2018 team(s), as he will be entering his third pro year. This could mean we lose Markstrom and have to sign (or trade for) a starter, unless Demko is already there (unlikely).

I know it'd be risky, with Demko becoming a FA August 2017, but it's something my buddy brought up so I figured I'd see what you guys thought haha.