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Will Markov Stay?

July 11, 2017, 2:19 PM ET [263 Comments]
Brandon Smillie
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
We are almost two weeks into UFA time and there are a couple pieces of business remaining on Marc Bergevin's desk. One of those is covered in dust from the last 20 years, a search for #1 Center, but this isn't current news. It's more like a curse at this point.

The other remaining piece of business is what to do with long time Montreal Canadiens defender Andrei Markov. Markov is in uncharted territory those summer. Not only is he a newly wed (Congrats to him and his family!), but he is his own agent. He is also without a contract from any NHL team.

As a Canadiens fan since I started watching hockey, I can admit that seeing Markov leave for another NHL team would be hard on my hockey spirit. As someone who understands the NHL is an entertainment business I can completely understand why every NHL player tries to maximize earning potential during their (typically) short time in said league. I don't blame Markov for asking for $6 million a season for two years. I don't blame Bergevin for not signing that terrible offer either.

Markov would already know that he's getting his cap cut down from $5.75 million. He simply can't keep up with an 82 game season plus playoffs anymore and it shows. We have had hockey during spring in two of the last three years and it's been clear that close to the end of the year Markov slows down considerably and is useful as a immobile PP QB and he can make a quality first pass out of the zone, when he can get the puck.

The soon to be 39 year old should not be signed to any 2 year deal. There's simply too much risk for the cost of his services. He made $4.25 million last season and if he wants to be back in Montreal he has to accept one year around this price.

You have to consider that typically NHL players don't last in the league at his age. That's a testament to Markov's ability to remain competitive. You have to also consider that the NHL has been transitioning to a speed and skill game and Markov is working off a twice repaired right knee. As I mentioned earlier, it's clear that he struggles with the schedule now and it's even more evident when you consider his last two playoffs stat line reads 18 games, 1 goal and 2 assists. Not exactly dominant, or really helpful to the Canadiens goal of GOALS.

Markov likely would accept an offer of $5 million a year for two years but the point is term. If Markov has been slowing down for 3 seasons, how long until he looks out of place and needs sheltered minutes? 6 months? He played two less minutes per game (avg) compared to the 15-16 season, averaged 46 seconds less on the PP, and 37 seconds less on the PK as well. The coaching staff appears to be adjusting his play due to his slow down, and Markov still looked to hit a wall and slow down. So, does he need to lose another two minutes or more to keep him fresh because he costs a lot against the cap? At some point management has to make a decision. To me, it appears they have as Markov is on his honeymoon without a job to come home to.

There is a very solid D group assembled in Montreal for the upcoming season. Their play will appear to be even better due to Carey Price guarding the net. The cries from the fans have been about a puck moving left side D. I understand the need when you look at the possibility of life after Markov there. But let's not forget that Weber and Petry are great puck movers on the other side. Alzner is very capable of moving the puck up as well Benn. We also must consider the under the radar signing of Jakub Jerabek, the 26 year old left side defenseman signed away from the KHL. Jerabek has been mentioned to be a similar player to Maple Leafs blue liner Nikita Zaitsev who posted 36 points in his rookie NHL season last year.

Jerabek was the fifth best scoring defender in the KHL with a stat line of 5 goals and 29 assists in 59 games. He also put up a goal and assist in 4 playoff games for Vityaz Podolsk. There is some chatter that Jerabek has even better offensive ability than Zaitsev. It doesn't sound like this player was signed to stabilize the bottom pair. He is being brought in to move the puck and play the power play. If Jerabek is successful in these roles that would make Markov a 2nd or 3rd pair D and 2nd unit PP. Not exactly worth $6 million per year.

So while I have so much respect for Andrei and what he's done with his career. If he doesn't want to play for "only" $4 million or so, for one season, then he is more than welcome to exercise his rights to earn money in the twilight of his career. If he does return to Montreal at a reasonable rate for one season I hope the coaching staff really limits his minutes, when they can. An exhausted Markov has done nothing for Montreal for the last three years, this is also the reason why I won't be too upset if he signed somewhere else for too much money and term.
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