If your aunt had testicles, would she have been your uncle?
Stupid question on your part and not even worthy of discussion.
Would the NHL have had a different outcome if Russian players never entered the league?
Hypothetical questions are a dime a dozen and not worthy of discussion........
... 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
You said the "Russian Five" LITERALLY turned the Red Wings from a cellar dweller to a Stanley Cup contender/champion.
I posted those questions to see if perhaps that really wasn't the case. I'm still not sure most of them were really essential players at all.
Oh -- and here ... :-P