Top 10 Russians in NHL History

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

First off, this list was a lot harder to put together than the Swedish players list. I still feel like I could flip flop many choices, but that's what I came up with. I think this will spark more debate than that topic did.

Also, I'm only talking about NHL careers, so that's why I left many legendary Russian players off the list. Here goes:

1. Sergei Fedorov

2. Alexander Ovechkin

3. Pavel Bure

4. Alexander Mogilny

5. Sergei Zubov

6. Pavel Datsyuk

7. Alexei Kovalev

8. Nikolai Khabibulin

9. Ilya Kovalchuk

10. Evgeni Malkin

[titanium2 867]

Ehh, I prefer hockey history and not just NHL. The Soviet system, despite it's political issues, was pretty unique in the way they played the game.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Ehh, I prefer hockey history and not just NHL. The Soviet system, despite it's political issues, was pretty unique in the way they played the game.

That kind of list would be too hard to put together, considering how you'd be comparing Olympic competitions to NHL competitions.

Also, not too many people have seen all of the older Soviet players from the 60's and 70's in order to put together a list like that. I couldn't do it, so that's why I never even went that route. If you can do it, then you're more than welcome to start an all time top 10 Russian hockey players list.

[Buppy 1,720]

I'd put Gonchar ahead of Malkin for now. Maybe move Ovie down a few spots (though it is just a matter of time before he secures the top spot, IMO). Maybe change the order around a bit, but looks like a pretty good list to me.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I'd put Gonchar ahead of Malkin for now. Maybe move Ovie down a few spots (though it is just a matter of time before he secures the top spot, IMO). Maybe change the order around a bit, but looks like a pretty good list to me.

Gonchar has been around longer than Malkin, but Malkin has already accomplished so much in his NHL career, that I decided to put him ahead of Goncher.

Admittedly, I've never felt that Gonchar was all that good. Just a top offensive defenseman who looks terrible in his own zone.

[xtrememachine1 795]

1. Sergei Fedorov

2. Alexander Ovechkin

3. Pavel Bure

4. Alexander Mogilny

5. Sergei Zubov

6. Pavel Datsyuk

7. Alexei Kovalev

8. Nikolai Khabibulin

9. Ilya Kovalchuk

10. Evgeni Malkin

That's a pretty good list. I'd make just a few adjustments

1. Sergei Fedorov - When this guy was motivated and wanted to win, nothing could stop him. When he was out there it was like having 6 guys on the ice because he was everywhere.

2. Alexander Ovechkin - If he stays healthy, he'll be one of the best all time.

3. Pavel Bure - The one man offense. Nearly scored 60 goals two years in a row on a Panthers team that had nothing except him.

4. Pavel Datsyuk - One of the best two way players ever and probably the best stick handler I've ever seen.

5. Evgeni Malkin - I hate to say this since he's a Penguin, but kind of like Fedorov, when he's on his game, he's very tough to stop.

6. Ilya Kovalchuk - Pure offense. Great skater and shooter and consistently one of the top goal scorers every year.

7. Sergei Zubov - I always believed he was the ultimate powerplay quarterback. Every team he played for, they had one of the top powerplays.

8. Alexander Mogilny - Very dominant for a couple years, but really tailed off at the end due to injuries.

9. Alexei Kovalev - Unreal shot. Showed potential to be the top player in the world at times, but was never able to consistently do it.

10. Sergei Gonchar - I can't tell you how many times I saw the Pens score on the powerplay that started with his blast from the point. Whether it gets deflected in or just blows past the goalie, the guy was another great powerplay quarterback.

Edited August 27, 2010 by xtrememachine1

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

That's a pretty good list. I'd make just a few adjustments

1. Sergei Fedorov - When this guy was motivated and wanted to win, nothing could stop him. When he was out there it was like having 6 guys on the ice because he was everywhere.

2. Alexander Ovechkin - If he stays healthy, he'll be one of the best all time.

3. Pavel Bure - The one man offense. Nearly scored 60 goals two years in a row on a Panthers team that had nothing except him.

4. Pavel Datsyuk - One of the best two way players ever and probably the best stick handler I've ever seen.

5. Evgeni Malkin - I hate to say this since he's a Penguin, but kind of like Fedorov, when he's on his game, he's very tough to stop.

6. Ilya Kovalchuk - Pure offense. Great skater and shooter and consistently one of the top goal scorers every year.

7. Sergei Zubov - I always believed he was the ultimate powerplay quarterback. Every team he played for, they had one of the top powerplays.

8. Alexander Mogilny - Very dominant for a couple years, but really tailed off at the end due to injuries.

9. Alexei Kovalev - Unreal shot. Showed potential to be the top player in the world at times, but was never able to consistently do it.

10. Sergei Gonchar - I can't tell you how many times I saw the Pens score on the powerplay that started with his blast from the point. Whether it gets deflected in or just blows past the goalie, the guy was another great powerplay quarterback.

Malkin has a had a good career already, like I said, but you ranked him ahead of some players who were better for a much longer period of time. I don't think he's had a better career than Mogilny or Zubov. He's only played for four years.

Actually, for me Kovalchuk is the hardest to rank, because he hasn't really had much of a chance to play in the playoffs. Haven't seen him in too many big games, or in many games period, since he played for a team all those years that was never televised.

Edited August 27, 2010 by GMRwings1983

[xtrememachine1 795]

Malkin has a had a good career already, like I said, but you ranked him ahead of some players who were better for a much longer period of time. I don't think he's had a better career than Mogilny or Zubov. He's only played for four years.

I ranked based on talent, potential and history. Malkin's won a Conny Smythe (ugh) and an Art Ross and he has plenty of good years ahead of him. He hasn't had a better career than Mogilny or Zubov at this point, but I think he definitely will when its all said and done.

[egroen 384]

I ranked based on talent, potential and history. Malkin's won a Conny Smythe (ugh) and an Art Ross and he has plenty of good years ahead of him. He hasn't had a better career than Mogilny or Zubov at this point, but I think he definitely will when its all said and done.

If we're ignoring the intent of the OP I lprefer to rate Russian players based on the hotness of their daughters... Larionov is winning so far.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I ranked based on talent, potential and history. Malkin's won a Conny Smythe (ugh) and an Art Ross and he has plenty of good years ahead of him. He hasn't had a better career than Mogilny or Zubov at this point, but I think he definitely will when its all said and done.

I guess I should have mentioned in my original post that I wasn't taking potential into account. Otherwise, I would have ranked Ovechkin first and Malkin way higher.

I was looking at their careers so far.

[Guest Stolberg]

Nabokov would be in before Khabibulin I think.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Have to disagree. Khabi-1 Cup Nabby-0. Great list here tho.

[Guest Stolberg]

Yeah that one season makes all the rest of his disappear I forgot.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Yeah that one season makes all the rest of his disappear I forgot.

Yeah, well its late not in the mood for debate mode with 1 sentence posters but I can do the whole Eva stats thing if you want. Wouldn't matter. Don't feel like Khabi should be on the top 10 either but don't see Nabby as well. Not a big deal. What about Mikhail Shtalenkov? To me, Nabby has never carried a team to a Cup (and literally) and Khabi was a big part of the Tampa run and has had great seasons previous.

Edited August 27, 2010 by HankthaTank

[SweWings 45]

I think Larionov should be on the list. And because this is supposed to be a NHL-centric review we're not even considering his play in and for the Soviet during the 80s.

Edit: Too tired.

Edited August 27, 2010 by SweWings

[Guest LarryMurphySpecial]

Have to disagree. Khabi-1 Cup Nabby-0. Great list here tho.

Have to agree, Nabkoov may have better individual stats, but hes had far better teams in front of him for the majority of his career in my opinion. Theres a reason a lot Russian players openly questioned Nabkov being their starter in this past olympics.

I think Larionov should be on the list. And because this is supposed to be a NHL-centric review we're not even considering his play in and for the Soviet during the 80s.

Edit: Too tired.

. His individual point totals may not be that eye popping, but neither are Kovalev's, and everyone knows who has the better hardware/Intrl Career.

Edited August 27, 2010 by LarryMurphySpecial

[Nev 1,085]

I would maybe move Zubov ahead of Mogilny, I always thought he was a seriously under-rated defenceman and was a key player on 2 different cup winning teams. In fact IIRC he led the '94 Rangers in regular season points. Mogilny had one great season, a couple of really good ones, and then a whole load of OK ones.

[titanium2 867]

I would maybe move Zubov ahead of Mogilny, I always thought he was a seriously under-rated defenceman and was a key player on 2 different cup winning teams. In fact IIRC he led the '94 Rangers in regular season points. Mogilny had one great season, a couple of really good ones, and then a whole load of OK ones.

Isn't Zubov the closest player the Russians had in terms of their own version of Lidstrom?

[hooon 1,089]

Konstantinov

[T.Low 1,011]

I think the original list is pretty good. WHile I would like to see Larianov on it, I don't know who I would take off it to make room for him.

I deal with a lot of foreigners in my line of work. I can talk hockey with all the Canadians I meet, as well as all of the Swedes, including the women. However, being a lifelong Wings fan, it bumbs me out that none of the Russians that i work with know anything about the Russian hockey players.

[RusDRW 155]

I think the original list is pretty good. WHile I would like to see Larianov on it, I don't know who I would take off it to make room for him.

I deal with a lot of foreigners in my line of work. I can talk hockey with all the Canadians I meet, as well as all of the Swedes, including the women. However, being a lifelong Wings fan, it bumbs me out that none of the Russians that i work with know anything about the Russian hockey players.

hockey is not popular in big cities (st.petersburg, moscow) there.

[germanwing 154]

Where is Grigorenko?

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

I think the original list is pretty good. WHile I would like to see Larianov on it, I don't know who I would take off it to make room for him.

I deal with a lot of foreigners in my line of work. I can talk hockey with all the Canadians I meet, as well as all of the Swedes, including the women. However, being a lifelong Wings fan, it bumbs me out that none of the Russians that i work with know anything about the Russian hockey players.

kovalev. this man has no heart for the game. he is lazy and a smug *******. i'd definately put the professor in before that slug. and i'd also put fetisov in before that defensive disaster gonchar. if konstantinov got to play longer, he would be on that list for sure. he was a beast.

the most noteworthy russian goalie of all time is tretiak hands down. he helped revolutionalize goaltending and inadvertantly made ken dryden a better goalie from dryden watching his pre-game warm-up styles and what not.

i really wish that mikhailov and kharlamov played in the NHL. they would have really set the bar high for russians. and if way back then the russian players could come over to the NHL, the situations present today would probably not be so harsh for russian players signing and drafting.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

kovalev. this man has no heart for the game. he is lazy and a smug *******. i'd definately put the professor in before that slug. and i'd also put fetisov in before that defensive disaster gonchar. if konstantinov got to play longer, he would be on that list for sure. he was a beast.

the most noteworthy russian goalie of all time is tretiak hands down. he helped revolutionalize goaltending and inadvertantly made ken dryden a better goalie from dryden watching his pre-game warm-up styles and what not.

i really wish that mikhailov and kharlamov played in the NHL. they would have really set the bar high for russians. and if way back then the russian players could come over to the NHL, the situations present today would probably not be so harsh for russian players signing and drafting.

Fetisov and Larionov were never really stars in the NHL. Their star days came in Russia.

Kovalev is a little overrated and lazy, but he's scored almost 1,000 points in his career. Gonchar has scored around 700 or so if I'm not mistaken. How can you put Fetisov and Larionov ahead of those guys, when their NHL careers clearly weren't better, and they were not really expected to be top stars on their teams?

Those two guys were complementary players for pretty much their whole NHL career.

Edited August 27, 2010 by GMRwings1983

[Shady Ultima 40]

Had Tretiak played his career here, he absolutely would HAVE to be #1 or #2, but considering people say he was THE best goalie ever... I'd say #1, but he never really got to be an NHL'er