The very first Russian-born and skilled participant to make it to the NHL was Victor Nechayev, whose marriage to an American lady 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 in the course of the 1982-83 season. He even scored in one in all them, beginning a legacy the carries on to at the present time.
Practically a decade handed earlier than the league began to see a serious 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 hitch the Buffalo Sabres, and continues to be the one Russian to eclipse the 70-goal mark. Extra former Soviets would rapidly develop into NHL superstars as nicely, whereas the 1993-94 New York Rangers grew to become the primary crew 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 another nationality, so THW determined to have a look via almost 40 years of historical past (sure, we even thought of 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 may take a success and provides one in return. He as soon as infamously took stitches beneath his eye with none anesthetic with a view to preserve taking part in. Thrice 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 might 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 damage throughout his lone 12 months within the Massive Apple. A two-time 30-goal scorer, he hit double digits in objectives from 2002-03 via 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 an identical construct and elegance 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 gained 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 greatest considered a Duck, Tverdovsky gained 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 develop into the following 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 objectives in a season, and that got here throughout his lone and closing NHL marketing campaign with the Atlanta Thrashers. He notched a minimum of 20 for Buffalo three completely different instances, however he may 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 online. Kovalenko possessed a good scoring contact, and generated double digits in objectives for all however one in all 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 gifted 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 record, Andrei Svechnikov has completed quite a bit 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 objectives 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 lately in opposition to the Bruins on April 9, 2024. He’s as artistic 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 objectives 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 may nonetheless put pucks residence. He surpassed the 20-goal plateau 5 instances throughout his profession. When Bure tallied a career-high 35 objectives in 1999-00 for the Flames, he and his older brother set the NHL report (93) for many objectives 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 may have been one of many greats however earned a popularity 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 3 times. He scored 40 objectives 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 tough to see why. He stood 6-foot-4 and over 230 kilos in a time when larger at all times appeared higher. Kozlov would find yourself taking part in 14 seasons within the NHL, nearly half of which have been spent with the Panthers. He would rating a minimum of 12 objectives 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 may rating from the blueline and possessed a cannon of a shot as nicely (although generally he had problem in hitting the online). Throughout his profession, Zhitnik performed in two Stanley Cup Remaining, however by no means gained the Cup. On Feb. 20, 2007, he grew to become the eighth defenseman from exterior 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 lots of offensive capabilities. In his rookie NHL season, Malakhov had 52 factors (14G, 38A) in 64 video games. He scored a minimum of 10 objectives in a season 5 instances, and was one in all 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 soar 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 objectives for the Bruins in 1997-98, Samsonov was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Yr. He ended up scoring a minimum of 19 objectives for the following 4 seasons after that, and helped the Edmonton Oilers attain the Stanley Cup Remaining in 2005-06, after coming over in a commerce from Boston. He recorded 235 objectives throughout 13 seasons.
34. Alexander Radulov
(Nashville, Montreal, Dallas)
Alexander Radulov’s recreation matured via 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 objectives, in 524 video games. He has since returned to Russia and is now taking part in 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 objectives 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 minimize brief by the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl airplane crash.
32. Dmitri Yushkevich
(Philadelphia, Toronto, Florida, Los Angeles)
An excellent shot-blocker, Yushkevich developed a popularity as being a fearless battler all through his complete profession. He grew into being a top-four defenseman, and ended up taking part in 786 common season video games. Seven of his 11 NHL seasons have been in a Maple Leafs uniform. If there was ever a defender who typified the phrase tireless, it could be Yushkevich.
31. Kirill Kaprizov
(Minnesota)
It’s fairly wonderful 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 objectives 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 outdated, he’s solely getting began, with 50 objectives most likely 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 these days, Pavel Buchnevich has changed into fairly the acquisition for Blues basic supervisor Doug Armstrong. After beginning his profession in New York with the Rangers and placing up a pedestrian 79 objectives 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 objectives and 206 factors in 216 video games, which features a career-high 30 objectives and 76 factors in 2021-22. He has changed into a core participant for the Blues and lately eclipsed the 400-point plateau, which solely 25 different Russians have hit. 5 hundred factors might be in his future, as he’s solely 29 years outdated 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 on account of his play previous to his NHL profession. Make no mistake although, Makarov was a top-notch NHLer as nicely. He gained the Calder Trophy because the league’s prime rookie at 31 years outdated, which truly brought on the NHL to institute an age restrict for the award. He scored 30 objectives 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 crew’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 objectives (27) and factors (83). He’s received 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 record, Nemchinov was one of many first from his nation to win the Stanley Cup, doing so with the Rangers in 1994. He gained a second title in 2000 as a member of the Devils. Nemchinov scored 30 objectives 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 record, 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 objectives (23), assists (29) and factors (52).
25. Andrei Markov
(Montreal)
Andrei Markov suffered lots of accidents in his profession, however his time spent within the NHL noticed him develop 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 objectives for the Blues for 5 seasons straight. Tarasenko completed second on the crew in playoff objectives throughout their Cup run in 2018-19. Now that he has that Cup and is exhibiting no indicators of slowing down, he’ll seemingly have earned a a lot greater spot on our record by the point he has retired. Many puzzled if Tarasenko may have develop into the primary Blues participant since 1993-94 to succeed in 50 objectives 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 gained the 2024 Stanley Cup. He is probably not 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 objectives and 55 factors in 76 video games. In 751 profession video games, he has 293 objectives 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 crew’s premier scorers. When the Avs gained the Cup in 1995-96, Kamensky scored 38 objectives that season, plus one other 10 in the course of the playoffs. He completed his NHL profession with 200 common season objectives in 637 video games.
22. Viacheslav Fetisov
(New Jersey, Detroit)
In his youthful years, Fetisov was extensively thought of the perfect defenseman on the earth. He finally 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, successful 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 gained 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 Workforce in 2008, and completed within the top-5 in voting for the Vezina Trophy on 5 completely different events.
20. Vladimir Konstantinov
(Detroit)
Have been it not for the tragic accident that minimize his profession brief, Vladimir Konstantinov might have had a Corridor of Fame profession. He was nicknamed “Vlad the Impaler”, and with good purpose, as there have been only a few who may examine in addition to he may. Konstantinov earned the NHL Plus/Minus Award in 1995-96 with an excellent plus-60, and although not overly giant, he was strong like metal, and his hits have been devastating. Konstantinov gained the Cup with the Crimson Wings in 1997, and had his identify included with the 1998 crew 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 gifted hockey participant. Contract disputes definitely didn’t assist both, however Yashin scored a minimum of 30 objectives in half of his dozen NHL campaigns. He was a Second All-Star Workforce 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 era. Taking part in components of 18 NHL seasons, he scored a minimum of 20 objectives in a season 11 completely different instances. Even whereas with the lowly Thrashers for his closing 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 all 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 seem within the league. He gained the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in solely his sophomore NHL season. His 21 playoff factors have been third most on that specific crew, behind Brian Leetch and Mark Messier. Kovalev would go on to attain 430 objectives 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 gifted heart who was sturdy each methods. Starting together with his rookie season in 1992-93, he scored a minimum of 20 objectives for eight consecutive seasons. Within the lockout shortened 1994-95 season, Zhamnov reached a career-high of 30 objectives 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 record, having gained 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 have 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 Remaining in 2024 and simply completed his greatest season with the franchise since signing the huge $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 closing season in Columbus in 2018-19.
13. Sergei Gonchar
(Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Dallas, Montreal)
There’s a chance 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 Workforce 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 objectives 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 Massive Apple portion of his NHL profession, he has been merely wonderful. 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 gained the Calder Trophy with 30 objectives and 77 factors), and the Blue Jackets (55 objectives and 169 factors in 160 video games), he has hit one other degree with the Rangers. He has thrived below the massive lights of MSG to the tune of 149 objectives 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 objectives and 120 factors in 2023-24. With 265 objectives and 781 factors in 672 video games, he’s seven factors away from passing the good Borje Salming for eighth on the all-time record amongst undrafted gamers.
11. Ilya Kovalchuk
(Atlanta, New Jersey, Los Angeles)
Throughout his prime, Kovalchuk was arguably the purest sniper within the NHL. He gained the “Rocket” Richard Trophy in 2003-04 when he tallied 41 objectives 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 via 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 objectives, in 926 video games.
10. Andrei Vasilevskiy
It is extremely exhausting to discover a finer goaltender, Russian or in any other case, than Andrei Vasilevskiy. He’s the highest netminder on our record, having gained 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 Remaining 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 of the perfect 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 go together with his two Cups, he gained 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 technique 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 gained 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), successful his second Artwork Ross Trophy in 2023-24. We should 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 greatest Russians of all time with 320 objectives and 873 factors in 725 video games…up to now.
8. Igor Larionov
(Vancouver, San Jose, Detroit, Florida, New Jersey)
Larionov was often called “The Professor” for his mental strategy, 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 considered a “Russian Gretzky.” Larionov gained three Stanley Cups, and was inducted into the Hockey Corridor of Fame in 2008.
7. Evgeni Malkin
(Pittsburgh)
In the case of sheer energy mixed with talent, there is no such thing as 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 complete profession however with an elite degree of expertise. Malkin has surpassed 100 factors in a season 3 times, 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 received 1,296 factors on 498 objectives and 798 assists.
6. Sergei Zubov
(New York Rangers, Dallas Stars)
Zubov is the highest-ranking defenseman on our record. He was named a 2019 inductee into the Hockey Corridor of Fame. Zubov gained 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 once they ended their 54-year curse. Zubov completed his profession with 771 factors in 1,068 video games.
5. Pavel Datsyuk
(Detroit)
Have been it not for the participant who’s ranked No. 2 our record, we might most likely have thought of Datysuk the perfect 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 may ever duplicate. Two Stanley Cups, over 900 factors, three Selke Trophies, 4 Girl Byngs – just about each purpose for Datsyuk to be within the prime 5. He will certainly be inducted into the Hockey Corridor of Fame when it’s mentioned 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 era than Bure. Twice in his profession he scored 60 objectives 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 record.
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. Have 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 objectives in a season, together with 76 in 1992-93. He additionally gained the Cup in 2000.
2. Sergei Fedorov
(Detroit, Anaheim, Columbus, Washington)
Fedorov is tops on our record for being the perfect all-around Russian in NHL historical past, and, frankly, is likely one of the greatest all-around gamers ever. He may play ahead or protection, or no matter method the good Scotty Bowman selected to make the most of him. Fedorov was the primary Russian to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau. He gained 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 objectives is creeping ever-so-much-closer to Gretzky’s mark of 894, and his five-year take care of the Capitals will take him into his 40s. He’s been (a minimum of) a 30-goal scorer each season of his profession, excluding 2020-21, during 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 gained the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2017-18, the identical 12 months Washington captured the Cup. For these causes, Ovie tops this record.
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