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Bergevin Concedes on Term, Markov Concedes on Dollars |
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Some time before 3:00 pm on June 23rd, Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin decided he wasn't going to get Andrei Markov to agree to a better deal than the one they eventually penned.
Previous reports had Markov holding firm on three years, with Bergevin only offering one year. It could be said that Markov conceded to a lower salary figure of $5.75M per in their negotiation, and there's little to no doubt he could've made more as the marquee defeseman in free agency. This contract likely guarantees Markov's legacy--that of a Montreal Canadien from start to finish of his career, unless, of course he's traded before his contract comes to term.
In the end, Bergevin's flexibility offers insight into his dedication to the long-term plan with his team. He's not going to rush the development of top defensive prospects Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinrodi, and in the short term, he elected not to gamble in unrestricted free agency without a guarantee of being able to sufficiently replace what Markov has brought to the Canadiens.
With health in hand, Markov has competed at an elite level for most of the last two seasons. His poise and puck-moving ability--trademarks of his game--haven't eroded, and the leadership he's displayed and the role he'll play in the development of important assets in Montreal's prospect pool make him indispensable. There's no doubt that he earned this extension and the security it offers.
Bergevin has the next week to strike deals with Captain Brian Gionta, defenseman Mike Weaver and to extend qualifying offers to his restricted free agents. He and his scouting staff have to have laid out their plans for the upcoming draft this Friday and Saturday. Will a P.K. Subban contract be signed before week's end?
Bergevin is also believed to be working on a couple of trades that could include roster players. He's expressed interest in moving up in the draft as well.
With Markov's signing now done, the heavy lifting's been started.
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-Last year, on this day, the Canadiens informed Tomas Kaberle he'd be bought out, burning their last compliance buyout afforded to them in the lockout.
-HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Pat Burns' family. It's a great shame he wasn't alive to witness being inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame, but at least he's going in.
-Every player in the Hall of Fame Class of 2014 had remarkable international careers. Among the inductees this year: Peter Forsberg. My favorite player of all time. Never saw a player like him before he started his NHL career. Loved watching him hit players while in possession of the puck. He was one of the purest passers the NHL's ever seen, and though he never scored more than 30 goals in a season, he was known for scoring beauties.
-Rob Blake was the King of the butt check. Unbelievable defenseman with incredible offensive upside, Blake was a pure leader and a winner. But throwing his backside into players--usually leading to devastating results--is what I'll remember most about him.
-Dominic Hasek. He was so good and so incredibly unconventional that he could drive any opposing player mad. Six Vezina and two Hart Memorial trophies ensure the legacy of a player that was nicknamed the "Dominator". A Stanley Cup win with the Red Wings was well-deserved for a player that might not have won one despite putting teams on his back throughout his career. A perfect example was him getting so close with Buffalo in 1998-99 putting up miracle after miracle performances through those playoffs.
-Mike Modano is the most prolific American scorer of all time, playing the prime years of his career through the dead-puck era. He played the game at 100 MPH, he shot the puck at 100 MPH, he seemed to do everything at full speed. He was a clutch scorer, a consistent scorer, and a heart and soul player. Modano was a pure leader too, who battled plenty of adversity throughout his career.
It's an extremely elite Hall of Fame class. Congratulations to all of them.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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