Correct, and no one in their right mind could have thought that Pld could step in , as a rookie, play center as a jr for 1 year, and be a #1 center as a rookie. They were lucky, that he was able to take on that role. How many rookies could handle that responsibility ? If you guys arent smart enough to see that they were quite lucky in this regard, I dont know what to tell you.
Uh, WHY NOT? I don't think "could" is used correctly AT ALL here.
Again, not long ago, "no one in their right mind" could have thought that PLD would/should have been picked ahead of Jesse. The TRUTH is, in REALITY, THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE IS TRUE.
Nobody thought he WOULD step in and "take over" the 1c spot. Or even MORE appropriate, is that people didn't think he WOULD HAVE to "take over" the spot. Even MORE-MORE appropriate, is that he didn't actually "take over" the spot, but in reality it was "given" to him by Wennberg.
Its not THAT common, and shouldn't be EXPECTED, but having the #3 overall pick, and TOP CANADIAN center, come in and play at an adequate #1C level at 19-20, is NOT luck. Lets also NOT act like he was a driving force from "day 1". I think his "growth" into the role happened naturally.
Its also interesting that you somehow consider this a NEGATIVE "thing" in regards to the team in ANY way. Its been NO SECRET that after the Jones/Johansen trade our centers weren't the prettiest when it comes to "high level" ability. How about we give the front office AND the players EXTREME CREDIT, in not only drafting him, but being "nurturing" enough for him to blossom into what he has become, especially so soon.