I dunno what more he can do in the ECHL to earn that role though. He's dominated down there and been good when I've caught him in the A. I'm with you to some extent about the players having to bear some responsibility; but the organization has a responsibility to get the most out of its young talents as well.
He's looked okay in the AHL, not good IMO. There are circumstances around that, but it isn't like he wasn't given a chances in the AHL either. He is a young kid and has to learn how to gain a coach's trust. It is a part of the process. I don't think the group of defensemen down there are so high quality that he shouldn't be able to take a bigger role... that is on him to do that and I believe there should be healthy competition for those spots. I really don't believe in just giving a prospect a spot without earning it. Meloche shouldn't be given an AHL top pairing role just because he is Meloche. It should be earned.
Meloche can get ice time and be a high impact player in all zones in the ECHL to earn that call up. I've seen 3 of his games live down there... you can see his talent level and that he is a good player, but he isn't dominate either. Out of the 3 games I've seen. He had one utterly dominate game and 2 average to above average. He can learn at this level, it isn't hurting him to play in the ECHL.
I'm probably one of the people who hates the split situation the most in SA... I've hated it since day 1. But way too much shade is being thrown in that direction and on the staff down there. They play kids in important roles, but only the kids that have earned it. Thompson, Blais, Jost, Kamenev,Mironov, Schmaltz, Greer, and even Toninato have played important roles on that team when there and healthy. Just because some favorites (even of mine) are not getting the prime time doesn't mean the staff isn't playing the right players.