I ask you one question; was Vyacheslav Kozlov the forgotten member of the Russian five? The Detroit Red Wings drafted young Kozlov in the third round, 45th overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Level Draft.
You’ve got to remember this was during a time where the uncertainty of these young Russian players being able to defect to North America was in real question. Drafting these players this high in the draft was a huge risk because you may never see them within your franchise little own your lineup.
The year before Kozlov was drafted, Jim Devellano and the Detroit Red Wings selected the great Sergei Fedorov in the 4th round, 74th overall.