Agree to disagree then; I dont see how less reps is beneficial to any player, let alone one who grew up playing large minutes in most situations
You often hear about players being 'bounced around' in the big leagues... not sure how often I hear about players losing much, outside confidence, when given extended looks in the minors
Plus he isnt even of legal age to drink yet lol. Lots of future for him to get NHL minutes
The idea that the young guys have to play a ton of games and minutes to get better is complete bs. He also grew up playing far less games than they play now in the NHL or AHL. By far the most players improve is in practice and the benefits of sending or not sending a player down is completely case by case. Although the AHL is arguably not a very good development league.
For Nemec his development is all about learning what he can and can’t get away with at the NHL level and how to play with intensity and compete every shift.
Sending him down to the AHL where he can get away with more and doesn’t have to be as locked in every shift will be completely counterproductive.
If you don’t think players lose confidence getting sent down to and stuck in the minors I don’t know what to tell you.