Playing too few minutes in the age racist SEL could be worse than playing more minutes in the AHL
If you're a young swede who hasn't got Bäckström type talent, you will se "your" role being played by a foreigner instead
That's true, and a big problem.
Many teams seem to prefer foreign players with 'NHL experience' (as in played some games and was rejected) instead of playing young swedes.
So yes, for some AHL is the better choice.
Take Liv, Lundqvist (Joel that is), Eriksson and others who are established SEL players, for them AHL is the best way forward.
But for many young players it isn't, they'll just feel lost, forlorn and rejected. And after a year or two they get back home and play tier-2 hockey or become sales drones.
But you're absolutely correct in that the problem is on this side of the pond, as it is now a SEL team can use unlimited amount of EU players (and 2 non-EU).
So we can end up with a team without a single swede, and thereby force our juniors and youngster out of the country.