Written by Habsterix, AllHabs.net
PENTICTON, BC. — This past summer, after meeting with the team’s doctors, Pierre Gauthier took a leap of faith when he signed his 32-year-old star defenseman Andrei Markov to a three year, $17.25 million contract.
When healthy, most would agree that Markov is a huge piece of the puzzle for the Canadiens as he plays in every game situation and he sees the ice like few can do. The problem is that he is not healthy and if we take a step back in time, in an attempt to look at the whole picture, it seems like there is something not quite right with this whole situation.
We all recall the fluke incident when Markov suffered a lacerated ankle injury after colliding with Carey Price’s skate on October 1st, 2009. He came back just in time to get a few games in before the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Fans will remember the controversy that followed when Markov did not play in an important weekend series against the Philadelphia Flyers, only to be on the ice for Team Russia’s practice the very next day.
Then on April 30, 2010, the defenseman suffered a knee injury which required surgery to repair a torn ligament, procedure performed on May 19th by Dr. Anthony Miniaci. It goes without saying that the injury not only ended Markov’s season, but it also dimmed the Canadiens’ chances to make a serious push in the playoffs, Jaroslav Halak’s heroics aside.
After missing the first ten games of the season, Markov made a comeback in late October last year, playing in only seven games before re-injuring the same knee, ending once again his season. This time, the unrestricted free agent to be and the Canadiens turned to one of the best surgeons in pro sports, having Dr. James Andrews perform the delicate operation in Alabama on December 8, 2010.
Markov was scheduled to become a UFA on July 1 and both parties had stated all along wanting to get a deal done. After meeting with the Habs’ highly touted medical team, Gauthier stuck his neck out by signing Markov to a three year deal worth $5.75M per season. The length of the contract rose more than a few eyebrows in the hockey world considering the nature of the injuries and the risk involved, questioning if the former all-star defenseman could ever return to form. After all, Markov had only played 56 games, playoffs included, in the last two years and most felt like a short term deal would have been preferable, as they did with Josh Gorges.
Up until the team’s annual golf tournament, both Pierre Gauthier and Jacques Martin mentioned publicly being confident about their star defenseman’s likeliness to be ready on time to start the season or soon after until reports began surfacing that Markov had to have water removed from his injured knee. At about the same time, a a fan took a picture of Markov at the airport waiting to take a plane to Florida, forcing the mainstream media to question the defenseman’s status. The news came that Markov was originally scheduled to meet with Dr. Andrews in Florida and stay for a week, which then turned into two weeks, and it wasn’t until three weeks later than the Russian defenseman finally made his way back to Montreal.
What now?
I have absolutely no doubt that Pierre Gauthier, before signing Markov this summer, was provided with medical information reassuring him of the player’s health status. It is also quite noticeable that management seems to be a bit uncomfortable, irked and/or impatient when the Markov topic is being brought up. It could be that they don’t have a clear answer and they simply don’t know what to say anymore, but it is also possible that there is more to this story than what meets the eye. The timeline for Markov’s return is now set to early December. Time will tell.
While I don’t question his desire to play for the Canadiens, I am personally not sold on Andrei Markov when it comes to his true dedication. It really rubbed me the wrong way when he took that time off prior to the Olympics while not missing a beat for Team Russia, as I felt like if he made a great living in hockey, it was due to his NHL cheques coming in. And I find that something is not quite right with this whole knee injury and rehab, including the contract signing. Whether it’s a medical issue with conflicting doctors’ reports, or if Markov wasn’t being totally truthful about his health prior to signing, or if management feels like Markov is in no hurry to come back (right or wrong), it just seems like things don’t add up.
Here’s hoping however that the Canadiens can not only count on Markov in their line-up sooner rather than later, but also that he can remain healthy and get back to the level of play he’s being paid for.
En français: Anguille sous roche dans l’histoire Markov – Canadiens?
Sources:
CTV.ca
ESPN.go.com
CBSsports.com
lejournaldemontreal.ca
Can’t agree with this “Taking time off before the Olympics”, I watched Markov at the Olympics, that wasn’t the Markov I know. He laboured during the games and that was with an extra week off to recuperate his back. He didn’t show his best form at the Olympics, granted none of the Russian team did but he did not look himself. I can’t see how he would have been useful against the Flyers a week earlier if that was how he looked the next week.
I don’t know… I respect what you’re saying and I’m certainly not saying that my gut is right on this one, but it really left a bad taste in my mouth at the time. Whether it’s legit or not, I’m not sure. I didn’t like it.
I agree with Robert on that one. Not to mention Markov got very limited ice time there; he wasn’t 100%.
As for his dedication, i would never question it. This is an athlete that turned his back on free agency on more than one occasion to stay here. He loves this team. He has also gone through what must have just been the two longest years of his professional career, going through rehab, working and training alone, not to mention the mental battle that comes with injuries. That, my friend, is dedication. ;)
I’d say Markov is definitely dedicated to the Habs. But I am extremely nervous for his return, whenever that happens. At his peak, Markov was a top 10 defenceman but after blowing out his knee, multiple surgeries and obviously getting older I guarantee he will never be the same player. Signing him to 3 years was a very risky move that I don’t agree with at all. They should have signed him to a one-year deal, seen how his recovery went and how he played this season before offering him that much money, for 3 years.
Hate adding oil to the fire here and this likely means absolutely nothing… but Markov’s house in Candiac is up for sale. Asking price is $1.5 million.
http://properties.househunting.ca/homes-for-sale/detail/176-MT8651184/
http://monhockey.com/lnh/contentposting_danslescoulisses/pourquoi_andrei_markov_vend-il_sa_maison_sur_la_rive-sud/6a48839b
http://25stanley.com/tags/maison-andrei-markov
Again folks, players buy and sell property and it doesn’t mean they’re being traded! But it simply adds to the questions raised above.
Markov has a no trade clause. He’s not going anywhere.
Fully agreed Chantal, definitely not without his consent for sure.
I just hope when Markov returns, it’s for a good, long stretch. The young Habs defense – and I’m thinking of PK Subban here especially – needs mentoring from a quality player in good form. Not only will they learn the intricacies of the position on the ice, but they’ll be witness to how a seasoned professional prepares off-ice as well.
That’s a good point James. Speaking of mentoring, I’m thinking mostly of Alexei Emelin who should greatly benefit from Markov around the team and in the line-up. I’d actually like to see them paired together for a while.
According to reports, Markov could make his well anticipated comeback on Wednesday in Anaheim against the Ducks. Can’t wait!
Gonna tell y’all just once: Markov is NOT coming back! Capiche? Comprends-tu? jamais! Why would he come back? He’s already got the shekels ($17M plus) from “Bob Lite” (AKA Pere Noel), and his Russian Doctor,Dr. Putin (“on the ritz”?) will get him a soft spot in the KHL (Komrades Hockey League?)where he will grab un autre $3.5M with no pressure from Le Nation de Habs, le media de Que.,and of course, not a peep from us here at AllHabs.net!!! Someone at Le Club de Hockey Canadien PR dept. please book him a (one-way, SVP?)Aeroflot flight “back, back, back,back to the USSR”?
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