Couldn't agree more. Guys like Turcotte jumped ship for the pros too early, and their overall development suffered for it. Heidt is not a man child like a Nathan Mackinnon, as big as Dach, or even a guy like Ryan O'Rourke, who was considered a bigger, tougher, more physical player than Heidt in juniors(he played AHL early due to covid shutting down the OHL). ROR looked pretty timid in his first year in the AHL, and is still adjusting to the physicality of the AHL. The AHL is kinder and gentler than it used to be, but make no mistake, it's a tough league filled with men who will do whatever they have to to win, and get noticed. The refs tend to let a lot go, also.
Heidt is average size and strength. He can certainly benefit with another year of playing in the WHL. The extra year of physical maturity is not to be underestimated. It will allow him to better protect himself when he finally does play pro hockey. If he does finish the year scoring at his present rate, then next year he can set himself new goals, whether it be scoring even more points, or shooting more/working on his shot, or being a better two way player. He will still have Pescarak to play with next year, too.
Overwhelming a player when they are not physically or otherwise ready for it is not always a good idea. Nor is sending them away to another continent, in a completely different culture, surrounded by people who speak another language. That's cool for some, usually mature adults who have a yen to experience such things, but teens like Heidt are laser focussed on being hockey players, not history and world culture.