OPINION | Can Marc Bergevin Mend Fences with Andrei Markov, Allowing the Veteran Defenceman to Return to the Montreal Canadiens to Reach 1000 NHL Games?
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA — The summer of 2017 was worthy of a 1970’s style disaster movie. The Poseidon Adventure sank slower than the Canadiens did that season. The oft disputed non-signings of Alex Radulov and Andrei Markov still causes in-fighting among Habs fans on social media. Quite honestly, the lack of these two players in the Habs lineup (with no suitable replacements) was a major reason for the team taking a massive nosedive in 2017-18.
After the failed negotiations with Marc Bergevin, Radulov signed a deal with Dallas and has been very productive in Texas. Markov agreed to play in the KHL for two seasons.
Recently, it was reported that Markov has received a contract offer from the KHL and three offers from NHL teams.
There is no doubt that Markov remains a fan favorite in Montreal, and for good reason. He spent years patrolling the blue line for the Canadiens and quarterbacking one of the best power plays in the NHL. At 572 points, Markov is the second-highest scoring defenseman in Canadiens history (tied with Guy Lapointe.)
Markov’s 990 NHL game career was spent entirely in Montreal where he provided countless electrifying plays all while displaying a quiet confidence.
The question is, can Markov and Bergevin set aside their personal differences to come to an agreement?
When Sergei Berezin lost his NHLPA certification in 2017, Markov severed ties with his former agent deciding to handle the contract negotiations himself. For his part, Bergevin took a take it or leave it approach with Markov, even pitting his proud, long-serving defenceman against Radulov.
Markov felt disrespected. Bergevin felt confident in his lineup without Markov. In my opinion, both parties made mistakes that led to the impasse.
Markov signed a two-year KHL deal with Ak-Bars Kazan. The defenceman with a CH ‘tattooed’ on his heart chose to forego any other NHL offers at this time saying he couldn’t imagine putting on another NHL jersey other than the bleu, blanc et rouge.
In an interview with Jonathan Bernier of the Journal de Montreal in December of 2017, Markov didn’t hide his disappointment, saying, “As an athlete and as a person who spent 16 years of their life in Montreal, I’d have liked it if they had respected me. That’s all I was asking for from the team.”
Can the two sides get past this saga? Markov is a proud person who values respect and loyalty, something he felt he didn’t receive two summers ago. The list of players leaving the Canadiens with a bitter taste in their mouths is rather lengthy during the Bergevin era. Does the general manager have the ability to mend fences?
But more importantly, can Markov be a legitimate solution to the Canadiens needs on the left side of the blue line at 40 years of age?
On paper, Markov can still play an NHL role. He could provide a short term solution while younger options take time to become NHL ready. It would also present Geoff Molson with a public relations dream as the team counted down to Markov’s 1000th NHL game all as a Montreal Canadiens defenceman. It is a milestone very few players have reached in the 110 years of Habs hockey.
During his time in Russia, Markov provided quality leadership and play. His first season in the KHL was productive with 33 points in 55 games. He added three points in 19 playoff games en route to winning a Gagarin Cup in his first season with AK-Bars Kazan.
This past season Markov’s production saw a sharp decline to 14 points in 49 games and no points in four playoff games.
Despite his legendary off-season training regimen, with the loss of speed due to age and injuries, it would be difficult to believe he could consistently keep up with the pace of the NHL today. It’s unlikely that “the General” has lost any of his legendary vision, but his skill level may not be able to keep up anymore.
It would be wishful thinking for fans to believe Markov can play at the elite level they remember.
At best, they can hope for a depth defenseman who can play reduced minutes and add value to the woeful Canadiens power-play. Markov is a veteran player who can play a mentorship role for younger players. And, like Tomas Plekanec, there would be fan excitement leading up to the 1000-game milestone.
In my opinion, Markov would not add any more value to the Canadiens’ blue line than any of the depth defensemen already signed in the off-season.
Perhaps, in the bigger picture, a return by Markov could help to repair Bergevin’s image around the league demonstrating that the Habs GM can learn from his mistakes. Bergevin can openly display the loyalty and respect to one of the greatest Canadiens defencemen that was lacking in 2017.
Depending on the contract value, I think that it would be a good plan to have Markov return. It would provide immense value to the fans who can show a great player their appreciation. It could be a swan song allowing Markov to leave as he should have, as a Montreal Canadien.
By Blain Potvin, Staff Writer.
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