The Quebec Nordiques were ahead of the curve regarding looking at Eastern Bloc talents as they drafted many a player that was in Communist countries, which seemingly could never play in the NHL.  As history has shown us, they were right.

Erik Johnson has been one of the better American Defenseman in the NHL while he was with Colorado, a long period that lasted 731 Games.

Dale Hunter was a tough-as-nails hockey player who would score as quickly as he would enter the penalty box.  As a rookie with the Quebec Nordiques, he scored 63 Points, and in four of the next five campaigns with Quebec, he reached the 60 Point mark. 

From Indianapolis, John-Michael Liles would play his first seven seasons in the National Hockey League with the Colorado Avalanche, a period that without question was the best of his career.