That's a bit of a reach, no?
The guy has a team to run. Whether or not it was a good decision is a whole other story, but maybe he had other plans? Maybe he doesn't feel giving more years is the right move for a guy his age?
No. Not even one bit of a reach. And you saying he isn't owed anything is just cynical. The man has been a cornerstone of our blueline for a long, long time. And it's not like he ever was a slacker or troublemaker. Sure he isn't owed you giving him your kidney but he's definitely owed some respect. Incidentally, Bergevin owes the fans respect. Markov was still loved here in Montreal. The way he approached the situation has been shameful.
And even disregarding all that and looking at it with an impartial eye, you just have to look at the pros and cons of the situation. The Habs have no transition game from the backend and that has always been one of Markov's fortes. Playmaker from the blueline? Check. Markov may no longer have the speed or coverage he used to but his hockey I.Q. has always been fantastic and you don't really lose that at his age.
He WOULD have made our D better AND might, saying might have retired in a Habs uniform as he should. Oh, they'll probably reach out to him when he does retire to make a show of it and sell tickets, if anything else, but we can agree that MB just made it all awkward by being his incompetent self.
