ForsbergForever
Registered User
- May 19, 2004
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Infamously drafted first overall in 1980 over Denis Savard, Wickenheiser was hated by Montreal coach Claude Ruel seemingly for the simple reason that he was not Savard. Over his first two seasons, he was a healthy scratch for numerous games and did not dress for a single playoff game in his four seasons in Montreal. So my question is, after being a big bodied (6'1/195 lbs) supremely talented center with the Regina Pats, could Doug have developed into an NHL superstar in the right situation? For instance, what if the Habs did draft Savard first overall in 1980 and the Winnipeg Jets take Wickenheiser with the next pick... Wick proabably would have been the team's first line center right out of the gate and been given every opportunity to shine albeit for a much weaker team. Would this early experience have been enough to set him up for greater success or was his skillset never really at a level to excel in the NHL regardless?