Rumor: Andrei Markov's Agent Has Contacted Habs (Looking for $2M Contract)

[Edgy]

It's not unusual for defencemen to play way past 40, but not all. Markov can probably go for another year or two but at what cost? To him and the team.

What cost? He's an upgrade over anyone we have on the left side. If he's signed to a 1 year contract and doesn't workout, he leaves next year.

We're not set to win anything any time soon with no #1 center, no true LHD to play with Weber, our pp still sucks and we lack a true scoring winger.

Limit his ice time to 15 minutes a game or so and let him run the pp and we should be fine.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

What cost? He's an upgrade over anyone we have on the left side. If he's signed to a 1 year contract and doesn't workout, he leaves next year.

We're not set to win anything any time soon with no #1 center, no true LHD to play with Weber, our pp still sucks and we lack a true scoring winger.

Limit his ice time to 15 minutes a game or so and let him run the pp and we should be fine.

That would be perfect, if someone can solve the PP problem, it's him.

 

[Zine]

Why does everyone assume that at 40 your body shuts down like flipping an off switch?

This myth needs to die, 40 isn't all that different from 39 or 38 or whatever.

It's not age per se, but the pattern of decline.

I saw much of Markov last year. While still serviceable, he looked old, worn down, slow, little mobility, losing physical battles.......a sharp decline from the previous year. And at 40, it's likely not a 'bad year' but, instead, the aging process. At some point a player's IQ can no longer compensate for lack of physical ability.
This is typical of the aging process, albeit 35, 38 or 40 to steadily decline until you completely fall off a cliff in a season.

 

[Harpo]

I would sign him for a 1yr/1m contract after having a good discussion with him that he'll play 10 games but maybe not one more.

Give him bonuses for games played/points if he turns out to be better than what we have on left D.

Win-win for the Habs and Markov. We're not there yet so I have no problem playing Markov for 10 games even if he sucks. Gonchar played 45 games for the Habs at the same age, and I thought he was OK. He won't be worse than the likes of Streit, Brian Allen, Mike Weaver, M-A Bergeron, Matt Schneider, etc.

To be clear: Not a hockey move, just giving Markov 10 games and a ceremony. If he still has it, well, great for us.

 

[FerrisRox]

He won't be worse than the likes of Streit, Brian Allen, Mike Weaver, M-A Bergeron, Matt Schneider, etc.

Mathieu Schneider played really well in his return to Montreal. I don't think even in the wildest best case scenario you could expect Markov to play as well as Schneider did.

 

[Treb]

It's not unusual for defencemen to play way past 40, but not all. Markov can probably go for another year or two but at what cost? To him and the team.

Allan Stanley, Doug Harvey, Carl Brewer, Doug Mohns, Terry Harper, Chelios, Chara and Lidstrom.

Those are the only 8 defencemen in the history of the NHL who played long enough to see their 41st birthday, which Markov would see December 20.

I wouldn't say it's not unusual.

 

[Harpo]

Matthieu Schneider played really well in his return to Montreal. I don't think even in the wildest best case scenario you could expect Markov to play as well as Schneider did.

I agree, he was great for 23 games at age 39 - Markov would probably be worse. I'll be fine with Markov being OK for 10 games at 40.

 

[Treb]

Matthieu Schneider played really well in his return to Montreal. I don't think even in the wildest best case scenario you could expect Markov to play as well as Schneider did.

Schneider was 39 though. In his 40 years old season, he played 25 games with 9 points between Vancouver and Phoenix.

 

[peate]

Allan Stanley, Doug Harvey, Carl Brewer, Doug Mohns, Terry Harper, Chelios, Chara and Lidstrom.

Those are the only 8 defencemen in the history of the NHL who played long enough to see their 41st birthday, which Markov would see December 20.

I wouldn't say it's not unusual.

I would've thought it was more. Oh well, next time I need some research done, I know who to call.

 

[Harpo]

Schneider was 39 though. In his 40 years old season, he played 25 games with 9 points between Vancouver and Phoenix.

He was also essentially a PP specialist in Mtl (14 out of his 17 pts). I'd give Markov 10 games to try to get our PP going.

 

[swimmer77]

I don't see the point in giving him a contract. Let the kids get experience. This team, as constructed, is not going anywhere.

Don't know that you can compare him to yesteryear oldies. The league is much faster now and Markov was getting toasted a couple of years ago just like Weber gets toasted now.

 

[icerocket]

Bring him back. Tired of seeing these no names lose.

 

[Boris Le Tigre]

This is only sentimental.

No charity cases. They can sign him for a day and then he can retire otherwise he is too slow. He’d likely be joining Alzner in the AHL real quick.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Im a fan of Chariot, i truly am...but am i the only one who is worried, borderline scared that, Chariot/Kulak and the words 'we re freaking set' are being spoken together.

Sarcasm.meter turned off?

 

[Forsead]

Allan Stanley, Doug Harvey, Carl Brewer, Doug Mohns, Terry Harper, Chelios, Chara and Lidstrom.

Those are the only 8 defencemen in the history of the NHL who played long enough to see their 41st birthday, which Markov would see December 20.

I wouldn't say it's not unusual.

That's seems right, however for 40+, the list become 24 players if you add Bourque, Blake, Horton, Numminen, Howell, Gonchar, Patrick, Schneider, O'Donnell, K.Samuelsson, Ledyard, McInnis (3 games), Zeidel (9 games) and Streit (2 games).

None of those guys had a "break" of playing in the KHL for two seasons IIRC. Gonchar, Schneider and Numminen cases are especially similar to Markov for the type of players they were.

Why not ?

 

[Price4Prez]

Sarcasm.meter turned off?

Brought it back to Costco. Sadly, Ive given up on a good portion of the fanbase over the years. Apologies

 

[Habsddicted]

Pretty sure he's gonna get signed, would be pretty typical from Bergevin. Low risk that could have "high" reward move a la Bergevin

 

[Licentia]

I have to give credit where it's due:

Two summers ago, Markov was looking for a two-year contract, but Bergevin only wanted to give him one.

During his first season in Russia, Markov posted 5-28-33 totals and a plus-7 rating in 55 games and helped Ak Bars Kazan win the Gagarin Cup as KHL champions.

Last season, he had 2-12-14 totals and was plus-13 in 49 games.

Looking back, we can say that signing Markov would have been the better choice, because we had the cap space anyway. But I appreciate that our GM didn't make the decision based on, "he'll be overpaid in year #2; but oh well, we'll probably have the cap space anyway." One should always be anticipating that the future will be better; and therefore, putting one's self in the best position to take advantage of opportunities in the future.

Quotes from this article: Stu Cowan: Andrei Markov wants to play for the Canadiens again

 

[FerrisRox]

Allan Stanley, Doug Harvey, Carl Brewer, Doug Mohns, Terry Harper, Chelios, Chara and Lidstrom.

Those are the only 8 defencemen in the history of the NHL who played long enough to see their 41st birthday, which Markov would see December 20.

I wouldn't say it's not unusual.

You are missing Tim Horton who was 44 in his final season. You are also missing Tommy Albelin who was just shy of 42 years old in his last game.

 

[peate]

You are missing Tim Horton who was 44 in his final season. You are also missing Tommy Albelin who was just shy of 42 years old in his last game.

I believe Raymond Bourque turned 41 during his final year. Edit: Nope, just missed it by a few months.

 

[FerrisRox]

I believe Raymond Bourque turned 41 during his final year. Edit: Nope, just missed it by a few months.

I think the closest one to 41 was Gonchar. I believe he was days shy of his 41st birthday. He actually went to camp with the Penguins as a 41 year old and played some pre-season games I believe.

 

[Treb]

You are missing Tim Horton who was 44 in his final season. You are also missing Tommy Albelin who was just shy of 42 years old in his last game.

I think the closest one to 41 was Gonchar. I believe he was days shy of his 41st birthday. He actually went to camp with the Penguins as a 41 year old and played some pre-season games I believe.

You are right on both counts. Gonchar was 40 years 355 days and I missed 2 guys. So 10 guys in 100+ years of NHL.

I'm still not sold of Markov. I wouldn't be mad at a PTO, but a straight up contract is just asking for a waste of cap space.

 

[Kriss E]

I have to give credit where it's due:







Looking back, we can say that signing Markov would have been the better choice, because we had the cap space anyway. But I appreciate that our GM didn't make the decision based on, "he'll be overpaid in year #2; but oh well, we'll probably have the cap space anyway." One should always be anticipating that the future will be better; and therefore, putting one's self in the best position to take advantage of opportunities in the future.

Quotes from this article: Stu Cowan: Andrei Markov wants to play for the Canadiens again

Credit? loll
It was a terrible decision and Markov went on record to say he would have accepted a one year deal as well. There was no hard line. The bridesmaid at his wedding wore Habs jerseys FFS. Signing Markov should have been the easiest thing in the world, even on a one year deal.
But hey, don't sign him, that's not a problem. Just like not re-signing Radu, moving Sergachev and Subban, none of these are actual issues. What made those deals pointless or headscratchers were the lack of replacements/improvements.
It's fine to move Radulov if what you got coming in is Ovechkin. It's fine to move Markov if what's coming in is Shea Theodore. No, of course I'm not talking specifically about those players, just making a point, it's fine to lose good players if what comes in is also good or at least, of equal value.
But of course, none of that happened. We lost Markov and didn't replace him. We lost Radu for nothing. We traded Serge only to get another sporadic winger. We moved Subban when he was still in his prime years only to get older.
All pointless moves that contribute to us being where we are today....barely a bubble team.

So ya...wow...''credit where credit is due''...Our GM had the amazing foresight to know a 37yo player was probably gonna decline. What a genius...

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Let's roll a 9 d-man coprs for next season who 6 of them are third pair or reserve d-mans

 

[Steve Shutt]

Would love to see the General back in a Habs uniform and celebrating his 1000th game at the Bell Center.

I think the contract would be simple with lots of performance bonuses built in so no risks if he busts. I also believe (based on Plekanec last season) it won't impact our cap situation if we part ways.

My worry is the 23 player limitation when the season starts and who ends up needing to go through waivers. Likely means we risk losing someone like Folin, Reilly, or Hudon. Keeping Pleks last year ended up costing us Jacob De la Rose. It also means less chance for one of our young guys (i.e.: Poehling, Suzuki, Brook, Juulsen) making the starting night roster.

I'm pretty sure Montreal scouted Markov over the last couple of years and have a pretty solid idea if he can still contribute. My big question mark is if there's any bad blood between Bergevin and Markov that would prevent something from getting done.