It's not "insanely stupid" to consider all the alternatives for any prospect, especially one as physically advanced for his age as MBN. GR is not a developmental black hole run by amateurs, there are advantages to playing there. It was not insanely stupid for Seider to play in the AHL at 18 after having played only a supporting role on his DEL team. Like Seider he's a physical specimen for his position (though obviously not to the same extent), like Seider his maturity level seems very high, and like Seider the WC were an eye-opener for him perhaps being more ready than one should expect from a player his age. His comfort level and performance at that tournament may have been why the Wings brought him to camp, just to see first-hand where he is at. He's been a bit cautious, not wanting to make a mistake, but he's been fine. He fits in well with the best of those players expected to be in GR.
It's not insanely stupid at all to think he can benefit from playing in the AHL. If anything, since the AHL is not as good a league as the SHL, rather than it being insanely stupid it would be more logical for MBN to take the smaller competitive step from Allsvenskan to the AHL than to struggle for top six and PP time with the defending SHL champions. He's old for his draft peer group having already turned 19, he's familiar with small ice, he's built to handle more contact in smaller spaces, Detroit would have influence on his development there compared to none in Skelleftea. None of these are insane considerations. The overloaded forward group in GR might be the best or even only reason why it's better for the organization that he go back. There's obviously a comfort level with that option due to their well-earned reputation for development, ASP being there and the Wings' staff in Sweden. He won't be hurt at all by playing in the SHL and there are some specific advantages to big ice and playing in the most challenging league available to him, on a good team expected to win a lot. Finding out how to contribute to a winning team, even if not in a big role, is a good lesson for every prospect.
Whatever decision is made, it will not be insanely stupid. What's stupid is thinking there's a one-size-fits-all approach to development, that because just-drafted SHL players usually follow a certain path, it's better for all of them to do the same thing. Starting with his age, physical development and apparent maturity, MBN is not your average just drafted player
