This one might be a little difficult to justify putting him on this list at all as many considered the career of Sergei Samsonov’s career was a disappointment but while he may not have lived up to lofty expectations there is no doubt that the Russian had a good career. 

Ilya Bryzgalov may never have been an All Star but there were a couple of seasons where the Russian was considered among the best netminders in the National Hockey League.