I would much rather see him get a year under his belt in Syracuse and then contend for a 5-7 slot here on this roster 2023-2024
If that is the prevailing thought, then Arizona would not be a wise choice because, although I’m sure they can probably place him on the NHL roster this coming October they sure as hell are not even 2 to 3 (let alone 3 to 4) years away from contending either.
I feel like if he was trying to speed his way to the NHL, he wouldn't have taken the route he did. He could have easily signed last year too. I think he knew that after being passed over in the 2016 draft, and being taken late in the 2017 draft he needed time to develop. I don't think that changes here, and he'll need time in the AHL.
Imo going to a team like Arizona would be a disaster. There's risk/reward there. He might make the opening night lineup, but you also get thrown into the flames each game. It's been brutal for guys like Chychrun and Stralman, and there's no mercy for rookies. It's the old saying: it's easy to make the league, but staying is the hard part.
If I were him, I'd stick with the team that drafted you. I don't mean that as a loyalty thing. It's knowing that 1 team picked you with a purpose, has been invested in your growth for the past 5 years, and, and know you better than any other organization. There's a plan in place. He can look at a guy like Foote who's been able to take it nice and steady, and has a good safety net around him. All the major players from his draft year: Stacy Roest, Al Murray, JBB, Coop, Groulx, etc are still here. John Rosso who scouted Minnesota high schools for us as an amateur scout is still here and now Assistant Director of Player Personnel.
Is there a pathway to the NHL with the dmen the Lightning have? No one can say for sure, but as a player you can't look too far ahead to Tampa's top 6 when you still have to fight for ice time in Syracuse. Righty dman Jack Thompson is signed and he'll be there when his season's done. Declan Carlile just signed his ELC. Pylenkov could be offered one when his season's over. Big righty Roman Schmidt is a whole year away still, but he's already got his contract. There will always be competition.