MONTREAL, QC. — Yesterday, after an especially heated week of rumours concerning defenceman Andrei Markov’s possible return from injury, General Manager Pierre Gauthier addressed the media. Gauthier announced that Markov would need to undergo a minor arthroscopic procedure, to alleviate some “swelling and discomfort” that remained after his last surgery.
According to most, if not all, Habs beat reporters, Markov was ready to return to the lineup, if his performance in practice was anything to go by. This news came as a relief to some Habs fans, who felt that they had gone long enough without seeing Markov wear the CH. Appropriately, when Gauthier announced the setback in Markov’s recovery, these fans were so outraged that I could almost hear the Internet groaning.
It’s true that Andrei Markov has missed more games than he has played in the last two seasons. However, in this case, his absence has not made Habs’ fans hearts grow fonder. Instead, the longest-serving player on the team has been maligned by many of the same people who used to cheer for him, who treat him as a nuisance when he used to be a hero. I can’t recall any other team whose fanbase became annoyed with a star player, simply because he was on injured reserve for too long. There’s an atrocious lack of sympathy for the player, and it reflects poorly on all Habs fans.
I may not have any experience treating or recovering from knee injuries, but I’ve read enough hockey news to know that they can be very serious and that recovery is unpredictable. This is Markov’s second knee injury; I’d say that every possible precaution should be taken before he plays again, to ensure that things don’t get even worse. Common sense should dictate that he doesn’t play until he is completely ready for all the physical stress that comes along with 20 minutes of ice time (or more.) Some fans don’t see it that way, or maybe just don’t understand that returning to the game too early might result in Markov needing more time off down the road.
Habs fans, let’s stop being angry about this. Let’s live and let live, and welcome our star defenceman back with open arms – when he’s ready.