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.
Bryan Smolinski could be considered a journeyman of sorts in the National Hockey League (he did play with nine teams) but his skill set was always coveted as every team can use a player who could score when needed and was adept at the penalty kill. The Centre would score 651 Points over a 1,056 Game NHL career.
Real Cloutier was an absolute phenom in Quebec and rather than wait for the age restricted National Hockey League he would went directly from the Quebec Ramparts of the QMJHL to the Quebec Nordiques of the WHA where he could play professionally as an 18 year old.