So what can Lorhei learn better by playing in the AHL vs playing with Carlo and starting with the Krug treatment and slowly leveling up? And what do you gain by having Lorhei in the lineup today? And what do you lose by having Lorhei in the lineup today?
I keep coming back to who he would replace in the lineup.
If he takes Forbort’s job, you are gonna need Lindholm to play PK1 and eat a lot of pucks. A Lindholm you have signed for a lot of years into the wrong side of 30. That being said, we aren’t clutching pearls about McAvoy or Carlo playing PK.
If he replaces Gryz, I don’t think the team is any better and is probably worse in the short run. The fancy moves we see Lorhei make, Gryz makes with ease and better. In the long run Lorhei has the size and offensive IQ to lap Gryz one day, but we ain’t there, yet. Even if we talk just the playoffs, it might surprise people, but in terms of actual GF%, nig Corsi or expected or whatever, McAvoy has better stats with Gryz than with Lindholm, Orlov, or even Chara in the playoffs. (Gryz numbers get tanked by his time with Carlo in the playoffs).
So my question is how much PK time did Lorhei play at Ohio State? Would he benefit from playing all situations in the AHL for half a season before kicking Forbort out of the lineup?