Recycled Russians making a mark in NHL

DETROIT, Michigan - Down the street from where the Red Wings' 'Russian Five' took the NHL by storm in the 1990s, defenseman Nikita Zaitsev sat with his agent and explained that the pain of being passed over in the NHL draft three times was gone.

Just four months into his rookie year with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Zaitsev realized not being drafted was the best thing to happen to him.

Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks told agent Dan Milstein the same thing as he earned rookie of the year honors with 77 points last season.