No, I agree, he didn't actually have a tonne of chances. He had about 30 games one season and then around 25 the next - playing with no one who was spectacular. I think a kid needs a bit more time and trust to break into the league. Imagine if the Sedins were given that ice time in their first few seasons and were then traded?
They didn't really show too much their first couple of seasons.
Having said that, he never really was a difference maker at the AHL level, and he just may not have the grit to make it for his size in the NHL. He's not a buzz saw, and he may not have enough skill to finesse his way through...will be interesting to see what happens in Minnesota for him. Hope he makes it, but if I were a betting man, I wouldn't go all in.
Your second point rings true. While his chances at the NHL were moderate - I wouldn't say he was given *no* chance - he had 3 AHL seasons where he demonstrated the same decent but not terribly impressive play. People can't assume that his NHL games are the only way in which he can impress the Canucks brass. Heck Michael Grabner did more in his 2 AHL seasons and 21 NHL games than JS ever did in 3 AHL seasons and 50+ NHL games - and he still got dumped to Florida over waivers fears.
JS got more of a look than his play truly warranted in part because he was a former 1st round pick. The failing lies far more with what he did in his 4 years in the org than due to any decisions or impatience of the team.