Best Russian Ever to Play in the NHL

[sunb]

Who is the best Russian to ever play in the NHL?

Don't name young guys like Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, Malkin, Samsonov, Datysuk, et al.

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[ForsbergForever]

Pavel Bure was one of the most entertaining and purely skilled players ever to lace up a pair of skates. The things he could do with a puck are just mind boggling, with a high light reel goal almost garanteed every game. Some may argue that he was a one demensional offensive player, i say there's nothing wrong with that, after all it takes goals to win a game-something that Bure was built to provide.

 

[Frightened Inmate #2]

Well if you want to consider their primes not played in the NHL it has to be Makarov, Larionov, or Krutov. If you want to merely consider their NHL career you would be hard pressed to find someone who goes against Fedorov

 

[Habsfan 32]

I say Federov. He was better defensivly then Bure and could score almost as many points. While not being as flashy as Bure he got the job done and did it very well. He also won 3 Cups, 1 Hart, 1 Pearson, 2 Selke.

 

[norrisnick]

Fedorov has had the best NHL career of any Russian player.

 

[Hockey Outsider]

Sorry, I misread the title. I didn't see the "in the NHL" part. I change my vote to Fedorov.

During Bure's best five years he averaged 98.6 points; during Fedorov's best five years he averaged 96.6 points (though I do concede Fedorov played with better linemates). For such a small difference in offense, and Fedorov's huge advantage in defense, I take Fedorov.

 

[ALF AmericanLionsFan]

If only in the NHL I have to go with Fedorov.

 

[octopi]

Some people may call me nuts for picking Larionov,what with him not getting that many points and all, but I think he had the most team value. Yes, even in the NHL.

 

[Nifty=HHOF]

For their NHL career, it's hard to pick against Sergei Fedorov. Bure was unbelievable to watch during his prime and would win if it was the most exciting player.

 

[Heat McManus]

Bure was my favorite player ever, but I'm going to give it to Federov. He is a more well rounded-player.

 

[Stephen]

Darius Kasparaitis is Lithuanian.

I pick Sergei Fedorov.

 

[Wisent]

Against all common sense I have to pick Kasparaitis. He is one of my alltime favorite players.

 

[clefty]

For mine, its a toss up between Larionov and Fedorov. I picked Larionov because I liked him better, even though I think Fedorov probably is the best. Bure I always thought was a cherry picker and overrated.

Darius Kasparaitis is Lithuanian.

He was only born there. He's Russian.

 

[Malefic74]

Sadly I don't see how you can factor longevity in any discussion with Vlad Konstantinov.

Federov is clearcut IMO for now, but if Kahbibulin can put together a few more stellar seasons it could wind up pretty close.

 

[mattihp]

Larionov, no doubt. The legend.

 

[KH1]

In the NHL: Federov easily.

But the best player (in Russia or the NA) is a toss up between Larionov, Federov or Fetisov. I voted Larionov.

 

[octopi]

For mine, its a toss up between Larionov and Fedorov. I picked Larionov because I liked him better, even though I think Fedorov probably is the best. Bure I always thought was a cherry picker and overrated.
.

I gonna say Larionov is Obi Wan Kenobe to Fedorov's Anakin Skywalker. Fedorov is the more talented, but he's also more self centered and a bit of a maligner. Larionov was brought to Detroit to help Fedorov along.

In other news, guess who's way too hung up on Star Wars?

 

[SamiK]

I gonna say Larionov is Obi Wan Kenobe to Fedorov's Anakin Skywalker. Fedorov is the more talented, but he's also more self centered and a bit of a maligner. Larionov was brought to Detroit to help Fedorov along.

If we're talking about who is the best russian player ever to play in the nhl, my answer is Larionov. If we're talking about which russian NHL player has the best NHL career, then Fedorov is a quite obvious pick. Larionovs playmaking and passing skills were best in the world in the 80s, apart from Lemieux and Gretzky. If he had been a NHLer since 1980, he would have at least 1000 more points.

Oh boy, I loved to watch Larionov , Makarov and Krutov play for team Russia in the 80s. It was not only great hockey, it was art.

 

[Leaf Lander]

bure was the offense fedorov was part of a larger offensive juggernaught in the red wings

 

[FlyersFan10*]

I said Mogilny was the best of the Russian players. I'm probably gonna be lambasted for it, but it's amazing how much his game improved when he had a competent centerman to feed him the puck. That season with Lafontaine was nothing short of magical. When he got to Vancouver, he still had a 60 goal season as well. It's too bad that the Mark Messier era putrified the Canucks, but when Mogilny was dealt to the New Jersey Devils, he rounded out his game and became competent both defensively and in his playmaking ability. He had become the complete player at that point.

It's a shame that he was never healthy enough in Toronto though. Lots of speed, creativity, excellent vision and just a good player.

 

[BlueBleeder]

I'll have to give the edge to Fetisov over Larionov.