[Alberta's Child]

As a long-time hockey fan I think a hockey GM would do well to steer clear of almost any Russian hockey player. It seems like I've seen a disproportionate number of them that meet one or more of the following descriptions:

1. Attitude problems or locker room/personality clashes

2. Shady acquaintances

3. Inconsistent performance on the ice

[nickcarraway]

No Federov, Larionov, or Bure?

[airborne]

Steering clear of Russian hockey players?

The Red Wings probably would have never won a Stanley Cup.

(a little sarcasm sprinkled with the truth)

[airborne]

Active Russian NHL Players ‑ All-Time Stats

Panarin is listed # 3 on the list - by points scored.

[Hot Tabasco]

As a long-time hockey fan I think a hockey GM would do well to steer clear of almost any Russian hockey player.

You're obviously not much of a historian if you can't remember the Detroit Red Wings "Russian Five" who literally turned the Red Wings from a cellar dweller to a Stanley Cup contender and ultimately winner in the 1990's.........

As a side note, the way the Red Wings were able to obtain them was worthy of a James Bond novel.

Out of that Russian Five, Fetisov, Larionov, and Fedorov were inducted into the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame.....

And Vladimir "The Gladiator" Konstantinov will forever live in the hearts of all Red Wing fans.........

[rfp1234]

Ovechkin would be the obvious exception. He may still pass Gretzky’s 894 goals.

[rwilson99]

and then there’s...

1. Alex Ovechkin
2. Nikita Kucherov
3. Andrei Vasilevskiy

Come on man.