Hronek can improve on his overall play in GR by playing top minutes and he can improve more by doing this rather than play an occasional game here and there in Detroit and end up being just another below average d-man.
He needs to work more and gain more confidence in the PK part of his game. He made strides in GR before his call-up, but his play in the area was not consistently good. Plus he needs to keep his confidence going and putting him on the PP unit in GR (which would help big time) and playing top minutes in the AHL, will help him in the long run.
I could see if the Wings were in a playoff spot, or a couple points out, to keep him around, but with the Wings as far out as they are and their consistent play recently, I do not see this happening. GR will be in a constant battle to make the playoffs from now until the last game in mid-April. Every game in GR will be like a playoff game and if GR do make the playoffs this season, it will give Hronek confidence, it will give him more playoff experience that he would not get in Detroit, and it will better prepare him to make the Wings roster for 19-20. And he is currently waiver exempt for this season, so it is a no brainer as to where Hronek will end up.