Draft Forsberg instead of Derrick Pouliot.
That’s it from a Pens POV.
I’m definitely not complaining, given the cups, and I don’t want to butterfly effect this into oblivion, but it’s hard not to wonder. Forsberg breaking through in around 2014 probably means
-the Neal trade still happens for Hornqvist,
-maybe the Kessel deal doesn’t come to pass, the Pens hang on to their futures and Kapanen, fwiw
-maybe FF becomes his own line driver to give that extra scoring threat. there would be no HBK but I’m guessing that would be offset by another talented line coming to together. Alternately, Forsberg gels in the top six with Malkin or Sid, and reels off multiple 50 goal seasons.
The Pens would still be able to chase their cups with a wing corps of Forsberg, Hornqvist, an emerging Rust and Guentzel, and a declining Kunitz. At that point, who knows if they win back to back, or if they get so bad that DB or Johnston are fired for Sullivan? But, Forsberg seemed like such a slam dunk choice at the 2012 draft, and Pouliot amounted to a bill of beans in the end. It’s just annoying that a great player slipped through our fingers when even any average fan could’ve made a better selection.
But again, can’t complain for a second how things worked out.