A Stanley Cup winner with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993, Lyle Odelein was traded straight up for Stephane Richer before the 1996-97 Season.
The NHL brain trusts had not quite yet comfortable drafting Russian players, though 1990 was arguably the last season where the GMs would be gun-shy. In this draft, the New Jersey Devils had an absolute steal in the 11thRound in Left Wing Valeri Zelepukin.
In 1983, the New Jersey Devils used their 12thRound Pick, a throwaway on Soviet Defenseman Alexei Kasatonov. There was not a lot of hope that they would ever get him, but you never knew. In 1990, after three Olympics and 12 seasons with the Red Army, Kasatonov arrived in New Jersey.
The Hall of Fame pro career of Brendan Shanahan began in New Jersey, where the Left Wing was taken Second Overall behind Pierre Turgeon in the 1987 Draft.