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Markov's Leadership, Subban's Contract, Draft Weekend and UFA Period

June 26, 2014, 10:11 AM ET [1961 Comments]
Habs Talk
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Early in P.K. Subban's career, the head coach of the Canadiens walks into the room between the second and third periods, his team clinging to a one-goal lead in an important game, and tells his defensive brigade to keep it simple with the puck. Get over the line, get it in deep.

Subban goes for a rush at some point in the third, and Andrei Markov scolds him severely. He emphasizes the importance of sticking to the plan, of being a team player. It's a harsh moment for a young player, who knows he's stepped over the line of what's acceptable to his teammates--specifically to a veteran teammate he idolizes. They simmer on the flight home to Montreal, and Markov insists Subban join him for dinner. The tone changes dramatically once they get there, all in the aim of making Subban understand that the point is to help make him a better player and a better teammate. In this act, Markov's provided more than leadership; he's offered a future leader an example of what it means to be truly one.

Over the years, we talked a lot about Hal Gill's influence, about Josh Gorges' anchor to Subban's buoyancy, but we know little about Markov's extroverted nature in addressing his teammate. He's always heralded as the quiet leader.

A while back, the Canadiens were entrenched in an unbelievable hockey game with the St. Louis Blues, and a pinch up the ice by Markov sends St. Louis to an overtime win, beating a frustrated Carey Price who gives his veteran defender a rye look.

A report surfaces the following morning that Markov got in Price's face in the locker room, and everyone yammers about how this incident is further proof of how the players on the Canadiens view young Price.

They seem to get along quite well now, don't they?

Review that incident with a concept of what you now know about Markov's leadership.

After signing his three-year extension this week, here's what Markov told Dave Stubbs in a feature that ran in today's Montreal Gazette :

"Maybe if I go on the free market I can get more. But after the money, maybe I lose more – maybe I lose the atmosphere, the city and the organization of Montreal."


That's not Stubbs putting a spin on how much deeper Markov is than most realize--it's Markov sharing a side of himself he rarely, if ever shows.

The article also reveals that Markov was waiting--anxiously--for an offer from Bergevin. Three years was greeted with "OK. It's over.".

The Canadiens and Bergevin know of the work Markov put in to get himself back to where the team needed him to be two seasons ago. They know of his influence with Subban, Price and others. They know of his leadership on the ice. They know that even if they wanted to keep this deal at less than three years, they couldn't allow Markov to test the waters of free agency while the plan is well in place to develop the young talent that promises a very bright future for Montreal's blue line.

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1) I've made several calls, but I haven't heard very much about the Canadiens plans for the next 72 hours, beyond the fact that they're trying to improve their draft position in the first round.

Bergevin--who's reminded several times that he's not a big fan of building through unrestricted free agency--is absolutely focused on trying to make his team better through trade.

Speculation's run rampant on names like Tomas Plekanec and Josh Gorges. Dustin Tokarski's another chip people are wondering about. I can't speak to the legitimacy of those players being dangled. Things are quiet around Montreal, and I'm certain the fans are hoping they're quiet because things are percolating under the radar.

From a couple of sources I've spoken with this morning, Bergevin certainly intends to further discussions on a contract extension for P.K. Subban as early as today. While the hometown Flyers and GM Ron Hextall zero in on trying to grab the first overall pick from Dale Tallon and the Florida Panthers, Bergevin's biggest splash could be announcing a new deal for his superstar defenseman.

But I don't have anything more than maybes about all scenarios involving the Canadiens right now, and the minute I have something that's firm (and hopefully, it's not too late), you'll all be the first to know.

2) Richard Labbe of La Presse reported that neither Mike Weaver nor Francis Bouillon has received an offer from the Canadiens, nor do they expect one to come between now and July 1st.

This report has led to speculation that the Canadiens could consider a defenseman off the free agent market.

Stephane Robidas?

Willie Mitchell?

Tom Gilbert?

Mark Fayne?

Certainly a lot of options for depth defenders out there Bergevin might consider to be upgrades on Weaver, Bouillon and Murray.

Matt Niskanen and Anton Stralman represent highly attractive commodities that figure to cash in big come July 1st.

3) Steve Yzerman did pretty well in acquiring high level picks and Ryan Callahan when Martin St. Louis forced his hand.

With the Lightning progressing, Yzerman couldn't afford to allow Callahan to walk to free agency and was forced to overpay him to avoid that eventuality.

Callahan drove a heavy bargain with the Rangers, and with the Lightning, knowing that the Buffalo Sabres would've been happy to pay him at least six million dollars per season on maximum term.

Dustin Brown got an eight-year deal with the Kings at $5.85M before last season. They understood how crucial he was to the makeup of their team, even if he's not as prolific scorer as they'd like him to be. He proved them right once again in this year's playoffs.

Callahan secured his six-year deal at $5.8M per as a leader that's of the same ilk as Brown, but hard to argue that he's anywhere near as accomplished.

Hard to see this is a good deal for Tampa. Joe Pavelski makes $6M over a five-year contract, and he scored 41 goals and added 38 assists this season. Callahan scored 17 goals and 19 assists in 65 games this year between New York and Tampa, and recorded zero points in the playoffs.

4) Hextall dealt glue-guy Scott Hartnell for R.J. Umberger to get a shorter contract on the books. Umberger can do more than score, he can kill penalties, he can hit, he can block shots. But after a couple of bad concussions, you always have to wonder how many good seasons Umberger's got in him. And Hartnell is a scorer, an antagonist and a leader, who makes Columbus better.

Easy win for CBJ on this one.

5) Question of the day: What do the Habs do with Peter Budaj?

My opinion: He's staying as Price's backup.
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