If you ask the fans of the Ottawa Senators, you already know the answer to this question. Alexei Yashin may have spurned the fans of Canada’s capital, but even they would agree that the Russian was a talented skill player. Now playing in Russia, Yashin had over 750 points in the NHL and probably could have hit the four digit mark had he chose to play more in North America (and not sit out a season in his prime due to a contract dispute).

One of the flashiest players to ever be born in the Soviet Union, Sergei Fedorov, dazzled fans in Russia and in North America where he was a star with the Detroit Red Wings. Fedorov helped take the Detroit Red Wings to three Stanley Cups and is himself a former Hart Trophy Winner.

The best defenceman of his generation, Niklas Lidstrom would play his entire NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings and Motown is certainly glad he did! Lidstrom. The seven time Norris Trophy winner would anchor Detroit to four Stanley Cups and he is one of the rare blueliers to score over 1,000 Points.

With the distinction the first ever Russian born player to be drafted in the first round by a team in the National Hockey League, Alexei Kovalev did not disappoint. Kovalev would score over 1,000 Points in the NHL and is a winner of the Stanley Cup and a Gold Medal as a member of the 1992 Unified Team. The crafty forward was a three-time All-Star and would earn Second Team All-Star honors once in his career.