The very first Russian-born and educated participant to make it to the NHL was Victor Nechayev, whose marriage to an American girl allowed him entry into the USA. He performed one season {of professional} hockey in North America, which included three video games for the Los Angeles Kings through the 1982-83 season. He even scored in one in every of them, beginning a legacy the carries on to today.
Practically a decade handed earlier than the league began to see a significant inflow of Russian gamers, and as soon as the Iron Curtain crumbled, the proverbial floodgates opened.
Sergei Pryakhin was the primary Russian allowed exodus, and he promptly joined the Calgary Flames. Alexander Mogilny defected to affix the Buffalo Sabres, and remains to be the one Russian to eclipse the 70-goal mark. Extra former Soviets would shortly change into NHL superstars as nicely, whereas the 1993-94 New York Rangers grew to become the primary group with Russian gamers to get their names inscribed on the Stanley Cup.
Since that point, Russians are represented simply as a lot within the NHL as some other nationality, so THW determined to have a look by way of almost 40 years of historical past (sure, we even thought-about Nechayev) to find out the league’s top-50 Russians of all-time.
Right here is who we got here up with.
50. Danil Markov
(Toronto, Phoenix/Arizona, Carolina, Philadelphia, Nashville, Detroit)
A tireless, fearless defender, Markov might take successful and provides one in return. He as soon as infamously took stitches beneath his eye with none anesthetic with a view to preserve enjoying. 3 times Markov performed for groups that reached the Stanley Cup semifinal spherical throughout his 9 NHL seasons.
49. Boris Mironov
(Edmonton, Winnipeg, Chicago, New York Rangers)
At 6-foot-3 and 220 kilos, Mironov could possibly be a really bodily defender – particularly within the earlier a part of his profession – however he possessed a noticeable offensive upswing. He surpassed 100 penalty minutes in 4 of 11 NHL seasons, all of them taking place inside his first six campaigns. Mironov additionally scored a minimum of 30 factors from the again finish on six completely different events as nicely.
48. Alexander Frolov
(Los Angeles, New York Rangers)
Frolov had seven good seasons on the West Coast with the Kings, however then disappeared after a season-ending ACL harm throughout his lone 12 months within the Huge Apple. A two-time 30-goal scorer, he hit double digits in targets from 2002-03 by way of 2009-10 — all with Los Angeles. After his stint with the Rangers in 2010-11, Frolov completed out his profession within the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
47. Dmitri Mironov
(Toronto, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Detroit, Washington)
He possessed the same construct and magnificence to that of his youthful brother Boris, although the eldest was the extra offensive of the 2. In 10 NHL seasons, Dmitri recorded 5 straight seasons (excluding the 1994-95 lockout) of a minimum of 30 factors as a blueliner. His profession excessive of 52 (13-39-52) got here in 1996-97. Mironov received the Stanley Cup with the 1997-98 Detroit Crimson Wings.
46. Oleg Tverdovsky
(Anaheim, Winnipeg, Phoenix/Arizona, New Jersey, Carolina, Los Angeles)
Although he was born in Ukraine, Tverdovsky developed his recreation in Russia, and represented the nation internationally. A extremely gifted offensive-defenseman, he recorded a minimum of 50 factors in a season three separate instances. Maybe finest regarded as a Duck, Tverdovsky received two Stanley Cups in his profession: one with the 2002-03 New Jersey Devils, and one with the 2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes.
45. Maxim Afinogenov
(Buffalo, Atlanta)
When Afinogenov arrived on the scene in Buffalo in 1999-00, he appeared destined to change into the subsequent Pavel Bure. With lightning-speed and exhilarating rushes, he thrilled Sabres followers for 9 seasons. The difficulty was that as quick as Afinogenov was, his scoring couldn’t preserve tempo. He by no means scored greater than 24 targets in a season, and that got here throughout his lone and ultimate NHL marketing campaign with the Atlanta Thrashers. He notched a minimum of 20 for Buffalo three completely different instances, however he might by no means absolutely harness his uncooked expertise.
44. Andrei Kovalenko
(Quebec, Colorado, Montreal, Edmonton, Philadelphia, Carolina, Boston)
Kovalenko was nicknamed “The Tank.” Whereas standing a modest 5-foot-11, he weighed 230 kilos, and was very sturdy in entrance of the web. Kovalenko possessed a good scoring contact, and generated double digits in targets for all however one in every of his 9 NHL seasons. His highest whole got here in 1996-97 when he potted 32 for the Oilers.
43. Alexander Karpovtsev
(New York Rangers, Toronto, Chicago, New York Islanders, Florida)
Although some dogged him later in his profession as being a “lazy” participant, Karpovtsev was nonetheless a really proficient defender. He possessed good dimension at 6-foot-2 and 200 kilos, and will contribute offensively. His most interesting season got here in 1996-97 when he completed second amongst Rangers blueliners in scoring (9-29-38), and fed off of the play of Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Brian Leetch and Adam Graves. He was one of many first Russians to have his named etched onto the Stanley Cup in 1994. Very sadly, Karpovtsev perished within the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl tragedy in 2011.
42. Andrei Svechnikov
(Carolina)
A present participant on this checklist, Andrei Svechnikov has achieved lots within the NHL on the younger age of 24. After being chosen second total by the Carolina Hurricanes within the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he debuted within the 2018-19 season and promptly put up 20 targets and 37 factors. Then, in his sophomore season, he executed the primary Michigan objective within the NHL on Oct. 29, 2019, and has since adopted it up with one other two, most just lately in opposition to the Bruins on April 9, 2024. He’s as inventive as they arrive and has confirmed he can rating with aplomb within the NHL. He already has three 20-goal seasons, one 30-goal marketing campaign, and 316 factors in 406 video games – all earlier than the age of 25. He additionally involves play within the playoffs with 13 targets and 25 factors in 41 profession video games. If he retains this up, he’ll enter the highest 20 very quickly.
41. Valeri Bure
(Montreal, Calgary, Florida, St. Louis, Dallas)
Although not as high-scoring as his extra famend older brother, Valeri Bure might nonetheless put pucks dwelling. He surpassed the 20-goal plateau 5 instances throughout his profession. When Bure tallied a career-high 35 targets in 1999-00 for the Flames, he and his older brother set the NHL report (93) for many targets in a season by a pair of siblings. He completed her profession with 400 factors (174 G, 226 A) in 621 video games.
40. Alexander Semin
(Washington, Carolina, Montreal)
An extremely gifted scorer, Semin might have been one of many greats however earned a status as being lackadaisical or lazy at instances. Nonetheless, his god-given expertise can’t be ignored. Semin reached double digits in 9 of his 11 seasons and was a minimum of a point-per-game participant thrice. He scored 40 targets in 73 video games for the 2009-10 Washington Capitals.
39. Viktor Kozlov
(San Jose, Florida, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Washington)
Kozlov was chosen sixth total in 1993 by the Sharks, and it wasn’t troublesome to see why. He stood 6-foot-4 and over 230 kilos in a time when greater at all times appeared higher. Kozlov would find yourself enjoying 14 seasons within the NHL, virtually half of which had been spent with the Panthers. He would rating a minimum of 12 targets in 11 of these campaigns, and completed his profession with 198.
38. Alexei Zhitnik
(Los Angeles, Buffalo, New York Islanders, Philadelphia, Atlanta)
Zhitnik was born in Ukraine throughout Soviet instances, however performed internationally for Russia. He might rating from the blueline and possessed a cannon of a shot as nicely (although generally he had issue in hitting the web). Throughout his profession, Zhitnik performed in two Stanley Cup Last, however by no means received the Cup. On Feb. 20, 2007, he grew to become the eighth defenseman from outdoors of North America to play 1,000 common season video games.
37. Vladimir Malakhov
(New York Islanders, Montreal, New Jersey, New York Rangers, Philadelphia)
A behemoth on protection, Malakhov stood 6-foot-4 and close to the 230-pound mark. Other than his hulking determine, he additionally possessed plenty of offensive capabilities. In his rookie NHL season, Malakhov had 52 factors (14G, 38A) in 64 video games. He scored a minimum of 10 targets in a season 5 instances, and was one in every of 4 Russians to win the Cup with the Devils in 1999-00.
36. Alexei Gusarov
(Quebec, Colorado, New York Rangers, St. Louis)
Gusarov was one other Soviet-era participant who made the leap to the NHL in his late-20s. He joined the Nordiques in 1990-91, and remained with the franchise on into the 2000-01 season. He had a contact of offense to his recreation, was a really powerful participant, and was instrumental to the Avalanche throughout their rivalry years with Detroit. He helped the Avs win the Cup in 1995-96.
35. Sergei Samsonov
(Boston, Edmonton, Montreal, Chicago, Carolina, Florida)
After potting 22 targets for the Bruins in 1997-98, Samsonov was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Yr. He ended up scoring a minimum of 19 targets for the subsequent 4 seasons after that, and helped the Edmonton Oilers attain the Stanley Cup Last in 2005-06, after coming over in a commerce from Boston. He recorded 235 targets throughout 13 seasons.
34. Alexander Radulov
(Nashville, Montreal, Dallas)
Alexander Radulov’s recreation matured by way of his three separate chapters within the NHL. Extremely expert however aggravatingly youthful throughout his time with the Preds, he blossomed right into a go-to participant in Dallas for 3 seasons earlier than falling off in 2021-22. In 9 years of expertise, he had 368 factors, together with 144 targets, in 524 video games. He has since returned to Russia and is now enjoying for Kazan Ak-Bars within the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
33. Igor Korolev
(St. Louis, Winnipeg, Phoenix/Arizona, Toronto, Chicago)
Korolev was one of many hardest working gamers within the recreation throughout his time. His most interesting years got here as a member of the Maple Leafs, when he recorded double digits in targets in all 4 seasons in Toronto. Although his scoring tapered off at instances, he remained defensively accountable all through his profession. Tragically Korolev’s life was additionally reduce brief by the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl airplane crash.
32. Dmitri Yushkevich
(Philadelphia, Toronto, Florida, Los Angeles)
An outstanding shot-blocker, Yushkevich developed a status as being a fearless battler all through his total profession. He grew into being a top-four defenseman, and ended up enjoying 786 common season video games. Seven of his 11 NHL seasons had been in a Maple Leafs uniform. If there was ever a defender who typified the phrase tireless, it will be Yushkevich.
31. Kirill Kaprizov
(Minnesota)
It’s fairly superb what Kirill Kaprizov has finished in such a brief profession up to now. He has solely performed 4 seasons within the NHL after spending most of his youth within the KHL, however already has 160 targets and 330 factors in 278 video games. Included in that whole are three straight 40-goal campaigns, one 100-point season, and the single-season franchise report in Minnesota Wild historical past. Fairly good for a fifth-round decide, proper? At 26 years previous, he’s solely getting began, with 50 targets in all probability in his future in some unspecified time in the future because the Wild look to construct round their dynamic Russian ahead.
30. Pavel Buchnevich
(New York Rangers, St. Louis)
Talking of gamers which have come into their very own recently, Pavel Buchnevich has was fairly the acquisition for Blues common supervisor Doug Armstrong. After beginning his profession in New York with the Rangers and placing up a pedestrian 79 targets and 195 factors in 301 video games, he has since made a reputation for himself in St. Louis as a goalscorer and perennial 25-goal man. Since his arrival within the Gateway Metropolis, he has 83 targets and 206 factors in 216 video games, which features a career-high 30 targets and 76 factors in 2021-22. He has was a core participant for the Blues and just lately eclipsed the 400-point plateau, which solely 25 different Russians have hit. 5 hundred factors could possibly be in his future, as he’s solely 29 years previous proper now.
29. Sergei Makarov
(Calgary, San Jose, Dallas)
Sergei Makarov was one of many best Soviet hockey gamers to ever lace ’em up. He was elected into the Hockey Corridor of Fame in 2016, particularly resulting from his play previous to his NHL profession. Make no mistake although, Makarov was a top-notch NHLer as nicely. He received the Calder Trophy because the league’s prime rookie at 31 years previous, which really triggered the NHL to institute an age restrict for the award. He scored 30 targets twice in his profession: as soon as with the Flames, and as soon as with the Sharks.
28. Evgeny Kuznetsov
(Washington, Carolina)
Not solely did Kuznetsov win the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018, however he was the group’s main scorer within the postseason with 32 factors (12G, 20a) in 24 video games. He set profession highs within the 2017-18 season as nicely, each for targets (27) and factors (83). He’s bought 575 factors in 743 video games, spanning 11 years of service. After spending all of his profession in Washington, he was traded to the Hurricanes on the 2024 Commerce Deadline. Following the 2023-24 season, he returned to Russia to play for SKA Saint Petersburg.
27. Sergei Nemchinov
(New York Rangers, Vancouver, New York Islanders, New Jersey)
Like Karpovtsev and two different Russians who made our checklist, Nemchinov was one of many first from his nation to win the Stanley Cup, doing so with the Rangers in 1994. He received a second title in 2000 as a member of the Devils. Nemchinov scored 30 targets in his rookie season of 1991-92, and was the primary participant in NHL historical past to play for all three “Hudson River” groups – the Rangers, Islanders and Devils.
26. Sergei Brylin
(New Jersey)
If there was a most underrated participant on our checklist, it must be Sergei Brylin. He performed 12 NHL seasons, all with the Devils, and was a member of their Cup-winning groups in 1995, 2000 and 2003. Brylin’s most interesting season got here in 2000-01, when he set profession highs in targets (23), assists (29) and factors (52).
25. Andrei Markov
(Montreal)
Andrei Markov suffered plenty of accidents in his profession, however his time spent within the NHL noticed him change into one of the vital steadfast defenders within the league regardless. In 990 video games, he generated 572 factors (119G, 453A) from the again finish. He recorded a minimum of 35 assists in a single season seven instances, and twice completed within the top-10 in voting for the Norris Trophy.
24. Vladimir Tarasenko
(St. Louis, New York Rangers, Ottawa, Florida, Detroit)
Vladimir Tarasenko was one of many NHL’s most dynamic gamers within the 2010s. He scored a minimum of 33 targets for the Blues for 5 seasons straight. Tarasenko completed second on the group in playoff targets throughout their Cup run in 2018-19. Now that he has that Cup and is displaying no indicators of slowing down, he’ll seemingly have earned a a lot increased spot on our checklist by the point he has retired. Many questioned if Tarasenko might have change into the primary Blues participant since 1993-94 to succeed in 50 targets in a season; nevertheless, that didn’t occur.
Tarasenko has bounced round a bit for the reason that Blues traded him to the Rangers on the 2023 Commerce Deadline, spending time with the Senators earlier than one other commerce introduced him to the Panthers the place he received the 2024 Stanley Cup. He will not be the 30-goal scorer he was in St. Louis anymore, however he can nonetheless put the puck within the web, ending 2023-24 with 23 targets and 55 factors in 76 video games. In 751 profession video games, he has 293 targets and 629 factors.
23. Valeri Kamensky
(Quebec, Colorado, New York Rangers, Dallas, New Jersey)
Kamensky was one other key element for the Avalanche throughout their rivalry years with the Crimson Wings, and one of many group’s premier scorers. When the Avs received the Cup in 1995-96, Kamensky scored 38 targets that season, plus one other 10 through the playoffs. He completed his NHL profession with 200 common season targets in 637 video games.
22. Viacheslav Fetisov
(New Jersey, Detroit)
In his youthful years, Fetisov was extensively thought-about the very best defenseman on the planet. He ultimately made his NHL debut with the 1989-90 Devils on the age of 31. He performed till the age of 40, and appeared in three Stanley Cup Finals with the Crimson Wings, profitable the Cup in 1997 and 1998. Regardless of the late begin, he nonetheless managed to report 228 factors (36G, 192A) in 546 video games.
21. Evgeni Nabokov
(San Jose, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay)
Although born in Kazakhstan throughout Soviet instances, Nabokov primarily represented Russia on the worldwide scene. He received the Calder Trophy in 2000-01 when he went 32-21-7 for the Sharks, and put forth a 2.19 goals-against and a .915 SV%. Nabokov was named to the First All-Star Group in 2008, and completed within the top-5 in voting for the Vezina Trophy on 5 completely different events.
20. Vladimir Konstantinov
(Detroit)
Had been it not for the tragic accident that reduce his profession brief, Vladimir Konstantinov might have had a Corridor of Fame profession. He was nicknamed “Vlad the Impaler”, and with good cause, as there have been only a few who might examine in addition to he might. Konstantinov earned the NHL Plus/Minus Award in 1995-96 with a superb plus-60, and although not overly giant, he was stable like metal, and his hits had been devastating. Konstantinov received the Cup with the Crimson Wings in 1997, and had his identify included with the 1998 group as nicely.
19. Alexei Yashin
(Ottawa, New York Islanders)
As a lot as Yashin was criticized throughout his profession for what was felt to be a failure to indicate up within the playoffs, he was nonetheless a really proficient hockey participant. Contract disputes actually didn’t assist both, however Yashin scored a minimum of 30 targets in half of his dozen NHL campaigns. He was a Second All-Star Group choice in 1998-99, and completed second in voting for the Hart Trophy that season as nicely.
18. Vyacheslav Kozlov
(Detroit, Buffalo, Atlanta)
A two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Crimson Wings, Slava Kozlov was one of the vital constant scorers of his technology. Enjoying components of 18 NHL seasons, he scored a minimum of 20 targets in a season 11 completely different instances. Even whereas with the lowly Thrashers for his ultimate seven campaigns, Kozlov had 70-point seasons 4 instances.
17. Nikolai Khabibulin
(Winnipeg, Phoenix/Arizona, Tampa Bay, Chicago, Edmonton)
Khabibulin was the primary Russian goaltender to win the Stanley Cup when he did so with the 2003-04 Tampa Bay Lightning. His 333 profession victories make him one in every of solely 36 goalies to have recorded 300 wins. A four-time NHL All-Star, Khabibulin completed his profession with 46 profession shutouts.
16. Alexei Kovalev
(New York Rangers, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Ottawa, Florida)
Kovalev is widely known one of the vital gifted particular person gamers to look within the league. He received the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in solely his sophomore NHL season. His 21 playoff factors had been third most on that individual group, behind Brian Leetch and Mark Messier. Kovalev would go on to attain 430 targets in his NHL profession.
15. Alexei Zhamnov
(Winnipeg, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston)
Nicknamed “Archie” for his crimson hair and resemblance to the comedian character, Zhamnov was an exceptionally proficient middle who was sturdy each methods. Starting together with his rookie season in 1992-93, he scored a minimum of 20 targets for eight consecutive seasons. Within the lockout shortened 1994-95 season, Zhamnov reached a career-high of 30 targets in solely 48 video games. Accidents slowed him down later in his profession, however his expertise was at all times frustratingly underrated.
14. Sergei Bobrovsky
(Philadelphia, Columbus, Florida)
Earlier than Andrei Vasilevskiy got here alongside, Sergei Bobrovsky was the highest netminder on our checklist, having received the Vezina Trophy in each the 2012-13 and 2016-17 seasons. His 2.06 GAA and .931 SV% throughout 63 video games for the Blue Jackets in 2016-17 had been merely staggering, and he’s posted a profession 2.59 GAA and .915 save proportion, spanning 14 years thus far. He led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Last in 2024 and simply completed his finest season with the franchise since signing the large $70 million contract in 2020. He completed with a 2.37 GAA, .915 SV% and 6 shutouts, numbers we haven’t seen from him since his ultimate season in Columbus in 2018-19.
13. Sergei Gonchar
(Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Dallas, Montreal)
There’s a probability that Sergei Gonchar receives Hockey Corridor of Fame induction someday quickly, as few Russian defenders have been extra offensively potent. He was an NHL Second All-Star Group choice in 2002 and 2003, and was picked to play within the All-Star Recreation in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2008. He twice surpassed 20 targets in a season, regardless of being a blueliner. Gonchar earned a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009, and completed his profession with 811 factors (220G, 591A) in 1,301 video games.
12. Artemi Panarin
(Chicago, Columbus, New York Rangers)
Ever since “The Bread Man” launched into the Huge Apple portion of his NHL profession, he has been merely superb. Whereas he had already established himself as one of the vital expert Russians within the league in his time with the Blackhawks (the place he received the Calder Trophy with 30 targets and 77 factors), and the Blue Jackets (55 targets and 169 factors in 160 video games), he has hit one other stage with the Rangers. He has thrived beneath the large lights of MSG to the tune of 149 targets and 461 factors in 350 video games, which incorporates three 90-plus level seasons (2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23) and his most up-to-date career-high of 49 targets and 120 factors in 2023-24. With 265 targets and 781 factors in 672 video games, he’s seven factors away from passing the nice Borje Salming for eighth on the all-time checklist amongst undrafted gamers.
11. Ilya Kovalchuk
(Atlanta, New Jersey, Los Angeles)
Throughout his prime, Kovalchuk was arguably the purest sniper within the NHL. He received the “Rocket” Richard Trophy in 2003-04 when he tallied 41 targets in 81 video games. Kovalchuk adopted that up with seasons of 52, 42, 52 and 43 respectively, earlier than dropping extra into the 30s. Had he not gone to play within the KHL from 2013-14 by way of 2017-18, he would have hit the 500-goal plateau a very long time in the past. Even so, he completed his NHL profession with 876 factors, together with 443 targets, in 926 video games.
10. Andrei Vasilevskiy
It is vitally arduous to discover a finer goaltender, Russian or in any other case, than Andrei Vasilevskiy. He’s the highest netminder on our checklist, having received the Vezina Trophy within the 2018-19 season and backstopping the Tampa Bay Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, and the Last in 2022. He has been their workhorse and celebrity ever since he established himself within the NHL in 2016-17 on the age of twenty-two, and is now thought-about the very best Russian goaltender of all time. In 10 years of service, he has a 293-143-30 report, 2.56 GAA, .917 SV% and 34 shutouts. In fact, within the playoffs, he’s been lights out with 65 wins, a 2.37 GAA, .921 SV% and 7 shutouts. Oh sure, to associate with his two Cups, he received the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2021 after a glowing 1.90 GAA, .937 SV% and 5 shutouts. His resume speaks for itself and is well-deserving of a top-10 spot.
9. Nikita Kucherov
(Tampa Bay)
Although nonetheless early on, it seems that Nikita Kucherov is within the strategy of assembling a Hockey Corridor of Fame profession. For six straight seasons his level totals have elevated for the Lightning. Kucherov reached the 100-point plateau each in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Scoring 128 factors (41G, 87A) in 2018-19, he earned the Artwork Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award. He has since received two Stanley Cups, hit the 100-assist mark (solely the fifth participant in NHL historical past to take action), and eclipsed his earlier excessive with 144 factors (44G, 100A), profitable his second Artwork Ross Trophy in 2023-24. We must wait and see whether or not one other Hart is in his future when the NHL Awards are handed out in July. Regardless, he has cemented himself within the Lightning report books and is among the many finest Russians of all time with 320 targets and 873 factors in 725 video games…up to now.
8. Igor Larionov
(Vancouver, San Jose, Detroit, Florida, New Jersey)
Larionov was generally known as “The Professor” for his mental method, his soft-spoken nature and his glasses. He was additionally one of many most interesting hockey gamers to ever skate. Sufficient so, that all through the Eighties previous to his arrival in North America, he was regarded as a “Russian Gretzky.” Larionov received three Stanley Cups, and was inducted into the Hockey Corridor of Fame in 2008.
7. Evgeni Malkin
(Pittsburgh)
On the subject of sheer energy mixed with ability, there isn’t a different Russian like Evgeni Malkin – and few different gamers for that matter. At 6-foot-3 and 200 kilos, he has been a beast his total profession however with an elite stage of expertise. Malkin has surpassed 100 factors in a season thrice, and led the league in scoring in 2008-09 and 2011-12. He has three Stanley Cup rings, a Hart Memorial Trophy, a Calder Trophy, a Conn Smythe, and a Ted Lindsay along with his two Artwork Ross wins. In 18 years — a span of 1,145 video games — he’s bought 1,296 factors on 498 targets and 798 assists.
6. Sergei Zubov
(New York Rangers, Dallas Stars)
Zubov is the highest-ranking defenseman on our checklist. He was named a 2019 inductee into the Hockey Corridor of Fame. Zubov received two Stanley Cups in his profession, first with the Rangers in 1994, after which with Dallas in 1999. Eight instances he surpassed 50 factors in a season, and led the “Blueshirts” in scoring after they ended their 54-year curse. Zubov completed his profession with 771 factors in 1,068 video games.
5. Pavel Datsyuk
(Detroit)
Had been it not for the participant who’s ranked No. 2 our checklist, we’d in all probability have thought-about Datysuk the very best all-around Russian to have ever graced the NHL. Nicknamed “The Magic Man”, he is ready to do issues with a puck that no different participant might ever duplicate. Two Stanley Cups, over 900 factors, three Selke Trophies, 4 Woman Byngs – just about each cause for Datsyuk to be within the prime 5. He will certainly be inducted into the Hockey Corridor of Fame when it’s stated and finished.
4. Pavel Bure
(Vancouver, Florida, New York Rangers)
“The Russian Rocket” was inducted within the Hockey Corridor of Fame in 2012, and deservedly so. There was arguably no participant extra exhilarating from his technology than Bure. Twice in his profession he scored 60 targets in a season. Three different instances he reached 50. Bure’s blinding velocity, cannon of a shot, and pure “thrill issue” place him at fourth on our checklist.
3. Alexander Mogilny
(Buffalo, Vancouver, New Jersey, Toronto)
It’s a travesty that Mogilny has not but been enshrined within the Hockey Corridor of Fame. Had been it not for hip and again accidents, his numbers would have been much more prolific. Nonetheless, Mogilny generated 1,032 factors (473 G, 559 A) in 990 video games. Eight instances he reached a minimum of 30 targets in a season, together with 76 in 1992-93. He additionally received the Cup in 2000.
2. Sergei Fedorov
(Detroit, Anaheim, Columbus, Washington)
Fedorov is tops on our checklist for being the very best all-around Russian in NHL historical past, and, frankly, is likely one of the finest all-around gamers ever. He might play ahead or protection, or no matter manner the nice Scotty Bowman selected to make the most of him. Fedorov was the primary Russian to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau. He received three Stanley Cups, two Selke Trophies, one Hart Memorial Trophy, one Lester B. Pearson, and was inducted into the Hockey Corridor of Fame in 2015.
1. Alex Ovechkin
(Washington)
As every season passes, Ovechkin furthers the conclusion that he’s the NHL’s all-time best objective scorer. His mark of 853 targets is creeping ever-so-much-closer to Gretzky’s mark of 894, and his five-year cope with the Capitals will take him into his 40s. He’s been (a minimum of) a 30-goal scorer each season of his profession, except 2020-21, by which he scored 24 in 45 video games throughout a pandemic-shortened season. He additionally simply grew to become the participant with probably the most 30-goal seasons in NHL historical past, hitting 18 in 2023-24.
A sure-fire Corridor of Famer, he’s a 12-time All-Star, nine-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner, three-time Hart Trophy winner, and received the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2017-18, the identical 12 months Washington captured the Cup. For these causes, Ovie tops this checklist.
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