This is probably the best for his development anyways.He takes a step up in the level of competition while working on getting bigger and stronger.It might be better if he played in Utica next season but if he's not physically ready for the NA pro game then no sense risking injuries and having another Rodin situation.
He really needs to work on his skating if he wants to be an "elite" level player. Europe might help with that and he said as much. Bigger rink does mean more room to skate.
Also remember Rodin was coming back from injury so his injury risk was actually started before he came over. Reports (in Feb) indicate that there were complications in his surgery that they thought he could play through (instead of a 2nd operation in ~July/Aug). The result is he won't be 100% till Aug this year (and again there could be complications with his Feb surgery).
Also since we still hold his rights for 3 more years, there really isn't a rush to start his ELC. He ends up making more money while developing (i have to imagine SHL will pay him more than 70k or so he gets in Utica) and of course we get the benefit of more ELC time in the NHL (or at least more likely since instead of spending ELC in AHL developing, his ELC doesn't start yet). Not to mention it helps with our 50 contract limit (which by the numbers, we're getting pretty close to)... Basically gives us an option of adding an additional depth player or a shot at another prospect.