Pavel Bure Was One Of The Sickest Goal Scorers The NHL Has Ever Seen

Before there was Alexander Ovechkin, there was Pavel Bure. The Russian Rocket was the most dynamic goal scorer from the former U.S.S.R. that the NHL had ever seen. Unlike Ovie, Bure wasn't known for firing unstoppable lasers from the left circle. Instead, he just made future HHOF defensemen and goalies look bad on the regular thanks to his ridiculous speed and magical mitts. Simply put, Pavel Bure was a game-changer and the only thing that could slow him down was injuries.

Three years after Vancouver took him in the 6th round (!), he won the Calder in '92 after posting 34-26--60 in just 60 games played (Nicklas Lidstrom finished second). Then he put up consecutive seaons with 60 goals. In the Canucks' Cup run in '94 that came up just short, Bure had 16 goals and 15 assists in 24 games. Among the 16 was one of the biggest in franchise history, this first round Game 7 double-overtime series-clinching goal (the Canucks were down 3-1 in the series before winning three straight OT games to take the series). 

After beefing with the Canucks front office and refusing play for them, he was dealt to the Florida Panthers. In his first two full seasons in Sunrise, he led the league with 58 and 59 goals. After a few seasons in South Florida, Bure was dealt to the Rangers but played just 51 games over two seasons before more knee injuries led to his retirement from pro hockey. The Hockey Hall of Fame finally inducted him in 2012 after several years of eligibility.

In the modern era, only Mike Bossy (.762) and Mario Lemieux (.754) have a higher goals per game average than Bure's .623. Bure is one spot ahead of Ovie (.613) and also has Brett Hull, Phil Esposito, Marcel Dionne, and Wayne Gretzky in his rear-view mirror.

Additionally, he's a dead ringer for Italian film star Rocco Sifreddi.

If you really have the time and want a deeper dive on Bure's career, this video will satiate you.