I think it's pretty simple. Either Strome went down to the A, or he rode the pine here. That he didn't go straight to Tucson is problematic, but I'm willing to give Tocchet and Chayka the benefit of the doubt that they wanted to see if Strome was going to produce. And we don't have the full story, so our frustration with how it played out doesn't have a really solid basis.
I definitely prefer seeing Strome in the A after two games to reading complaints about Tocchet scratching him game after game like Tippett used to with our younger players before the rebuild.
Such as?
Lucas Lessio in the 2014-15 season? Miele and Rundblad?
The problem with your argument is that we never had players who were talented enough to stick in the NHL long term. If Rundblad's/Miele's/Lessio's careers took off, then you have an argument. So you are complaining about players who really wouldn't be considered impact players that the old coach "allegedly" scratched game after game for his own amusement. The reason is because they were fringe players who got a small cup of coffee and then were sent back down. The only one of the multiple players that we have brought up and sent down where you have a legitimate argument for is Turris, and half of that was probably due to his attitude. I don't see Strome making it clear how unhappy he is with getting sent down. Turris made it clear right from the start of the 09-10 season that he wasn't happy with that.
Look, we are all frustrated b/c for the first time since Turris, we have a player with skill whom we want to be up here. Going down to the A is fine for helping his development. But let's separate this idea that the previous regime didn't do exactly what Tocchet is doing - neither coach is leaving someone up in the NHL to only sit him for personal enjoyment.
He has some things to work on, and this gives him the best chance to do so.