Andrei Markov

[Monctonscout]

He is an offensive specialist with huge flaws in his game since his comeback. To be productive he has to take risks, and before his injuries he could somehow recover his mistakes but right now it's kinda sad when the puck gets behind him at the blue line.

I don't think he has to take a lot of chances, it's in part the way the team plays and in part because he was used to taking more chances and being able to recover.

He went from above average mobility and great instincts to average mobility with great instincts. Unless his foot speed comes back 100% he'll have to make some adjustments, but should still be a well above average d-man.

 

[KingGallagherXI]

I think we should retire his number. Honestly? We need to do it.

Maybe if it was the Panthers, but the Canadiens only retires legends, and Markov isn't quite one. Hell we haven't retired Chelios, and he won a Norris and a Cup with us. Or even Guy Lapointe.

 

[FuzzyWuzzy]

Andrei Markov is a top pairing defenseman on any NHL team. He's slowed down (literally slowed down) but his offensive stats, crisp passing and smart defensive plays are still there and he's been rather phenomenal this year considering what he's coming back from.

 

[Banjo Cat]

This was one reason he was so dominant, he was a pinching god. He was the best or one of the best players in the league at judging when to pinch and keeping the puck in the opposing zone. But now he's failing a lot for some reason.

His brain hasn't adjusted to his new body yet maybe. Stuff that used to work isn't. I've been noticing him getting caught pinching for a month or so now. He has to adjust and play a safer game.

 

[CauZuki]

Should be P. K - Gorges
Markov - Emelin
Bouillon-Tinordi

 

[NewHabsEra*]

Bergevin needs to trade for a defenseman, the Markov Emelin pairing is playing too much.. Markov isnt getting younger, needs to be rested.. Tinordi will be good but still way too green to give him more responsabilities..

 

[Captain Mountain]

*looks at stats*

5th in points for D, only a +/- of -3, plays 24:47 mins a night.

He's been about as good as I could have hoped. He doesn't have his old footspeed and he looks tired out there. He needs to be rested more.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I don't think Markov is playing that bad. He's overly aggressive at the blueline and doesn't have the speed to catch up anymore, but he's still a solid defenseman. I like his aggressiveness in front of the net. He doesn't take **** from anyone - especially Krejci that was so *** funny.

His outlet passes are exceptional and he reads plays very very well. There are a lot of passes he intercepts. He's playing a lot better than he did last year in those final 18 games.

Subban is playing more minutes than him now, and is our true #1 defenseman. Markov is still a quality 2nd unit defender.

 

[ottawa]

He hasn't changed his style, it's just that he went from a high-success pinching ratio to a lower one recently. He doesn't pinch more, he just gets caught more.

This was one reason he was so dominant, he was a pinching god. He was the best or one of the best players in the league at judging when to pinch and keeping the puck in the opposing zone. But now he's failing a lot for some reason.

You may be right, healthy Markov was absolutely amazing but now the pinching is starting to hurt us and it's not just the Boston game as many of you are pointing out. I don't know if there's some deep part of my brain that dislikes Markov or something but every single game I keep an eye on him and notice how he's too slow to catch up on pucks he fumbles or gives away due to a bad pass, pass reception or pinching. He's still doing other things right, like making tape-to-tape passes, carrying in the puck and dumping when he should and I'm happy about that. But if he is just a bit less riskier due to his speed and inability to win footraces with younger guys, it would help because Emelin isn't the best guy to have on a 2 on 1 rush from the other team.

 

[BlackStar]

Lol wow, Markov is a bum now. Wow.

 

[Mrb1p]

If Emelin has a bad game, Markov will have a bad game. Nothing else.

 

[HatTricK09]

After 2 and a half years of almost no playing at all, I'd guess he must be tired at this point.
33 games as a Habs playing top minutes this season
+
21 games with Vityaz during the lockout
Totaling 54 games this year so far

 

[cphabs]

Maybe if it was the Panthers, but the Canadiens only retires legends, and Markov isn't quite one. Hell we haven't retired Chelios, and he won a Norris and a Cup with us. Or even Guy Lapointe.

If Markov played behind those teams? His jersey would already be in the rafters. I was reflecting on what he has done for our team over the last 10+ years. Remember them? Politics, drafting, trades, coaches, fans (me included), injuries, media, GMs, and here he is still carrying the standard with class and heart. Not sure what the hell you're looking for, but he may be something the franchise may want to honor.

 

[OldCraig71]

Lol wow, Markov is a bum now. Wow.

We were 15th last year but the lack of a slow bum like Markov had nothing to do with that. Some people on this board.

 

[HuGo Sham]

back to back games + 25 + minutes per night =
FATIGUE

he needs to be rested.
that's it.
nothing more

 

[TheGoalJudge]

Our system requires quick D-men. We continually press and push the tempo. Sometimes he'll look bad because he's old, that's it.

Sometimes we have to either lessen his minutes in back to backs or adapt our style slightly, slow the pace.

 

[Disappearing Semin]

Gorges-Subban should withouta doubt play more than Markov-Emelin . Julien put Seguin on the ice against markov all night and he was burned all night. Hopefully diaz will come back and take emelins spot in the top4

 

[donghabs98]

Playing with 5 defensemen hurt us, and as Pierre McGuire said, Boston loaded up their speed line (Bergeron-Seguin-Marchand) against the Markov-Emelin pair. They torched them. It's not the first time their lack of speed has been problematic, they need to be more careful.

This right here

Playing with 5 defensemen on back to back nights was not and is not a good idea

 

[ottawa]

A lot of people are getting offended by the bum comment, I'm not calling him a bum I'm saying he's playing like one. During the first few weeks he was playing like his former-self and it was amazing, but his play has dropped off since and it's most likely due to the minutes he's playing. If he's no longer a #1D who can take on 25mins a game like Subban, then the habs are in trouble and in desperate need of another 1st pairing defenseman because after Subban there is a big drop off in talent. Markov may not be too far behind yet (I personally think he is but others will argue he's not) but what about next year? Or the year after when we re-sign him...Gorges can fill in for Markov and Diaz too but they aren't exactly replacements for him.

I just hope Beaulieu reaches his potential and turns into a #3D with upside to become a #2. I bet a lot of you want to draft a forward with out first pick this year, and it's only fitting with all the quality forwards this year but I wouldn't be opposed to picking up a D. Or at least using a couple of our 2nd rounders on some defenseman (J.Subban would be great)

 

[MTL-rules]

Are you ****ing kidding me ? Top 5 scorer in the league for a defenceman who hasn't played in like 2 years and you whine ?

Yeah Subban is great, but it's easier with a Gorges than a Emelin... I'm tired of posters who can't appreciated what we have.

 

[KingGallagherXI]

Are you ****ing kidding me ? Top 5 scorer in the league for a defenceman who hasn't played in like 2 years and you whine ?

Yeah Subban is great, but it's easier with a Gorges than a Emelin... I'm tired of posters who can't appreciated what we have.

This is not about his offensive production. I'm sure everyone is more than satisfied with that part of his game. But he's been giving a lot of odd man rushes because he's trying to pinch and gets caught. He's slow and cannot recover from being beaten. This has resulted in goals a few times.

 

[uiCk]

Probably been said many times, but im not surprised Markov is having hard time playing back to back vs BOS and PIT, away games, top pairing minutes. given his age and fact he hasnt played for 2 years.
Still top 2 D on this team.
Just needs less workload, and probably more sheltered minutes.

 

[Habsfannick]

If Markov played behind those teams? His jersey would already be in the rafters. I was reflecting on what he has done for our team over the last 10+ years. Remember them? Politics, drafting, trades, coaches, fans (me included), injuries, media, GMs, and here he is still carrying the standard with class and heart. Not sure what the hell you're looking for, but he may be something the franchise may want to honor.

He's been great but come on look at the names up there, this is montreal we are the place of legends his name although it will be remembered for a long time does not belong in those rafters.

And I'm a huge Markov fan saying this it's just not conparable

 

[FlyingKostitsyn]

Lol wow, Markov is a bum now. Wow.

I know right? A lot of posters have such little respect for our own players, its a shame they dare call themselves ''fans''

Imho you can't be a Habs fan without being a Markov fan. Along with Plekanec he's all that ties us to last decade's teams.

 

[LastRide]

Markov has been very good so far and his skating is a lot better this year. He needs to quit trying to pinch in at the wrong times, and getting caught out of position.