Agreed that the use of the word "dominating" feels both hyperbolic and premature which doesn't take away from the fact that he has been very good through 2 games.
I would however counter the assertion that he should be kept in the AHL all season even if he continues to impress. I think this approach is equally as invalid as keeping a prospect in the NHL who clearly needs to be sent to the AHL. Prospects should always play at the level that challenges them the most but are able to learn and improve at that level. Roy may very well show in relatively short order that he is ready to go to the next level. There will come a point if he continues to progress that playing at a level where he can exploit opportunities that are not commonly available at the next level will become detrimental to the expediting of his development process from minor pro hockey to the NHL.
Ultimately it won't harm his game to stay in the AHL all season but it will slow the ascension to him becoming the final product that he will inevitably become. Perhaps that doesn't matter a whole lot considering that we are not remotely a relevant franchise at the moment in terms of being a championship contender but I strongly believe in running an organization as a meritocracy. Players should be rewarded for sustained demonstrations of progress and should be slotted into the organizational role/position that their contributions and competencies merit whenever circumstances allow for such a move to occur.
I think they should protect him.
You can already see people all over the internet and in the media asking for him to be called up. Things will quickly turn sour if he doesn’t find success after a recall.
Seasons are long and a lot of things can happen over that time. He might be good in the first half before struggling mightily in the second. Or this could happen earlier like he could just do well all season long.
There’s too much unknown. I don’t see any downside at keeping him down the whole year. Let him ride the bus and work his way up slowly because he will definitely face challenges along the way.
For now, they can give RHP and Ylonen more ice time in a more offensive role. Same thing for Heineman when he comes back if there’s more injuries up front.
They have the option to wait and see how things evolve.