There is good news on the horizon for the Montreal Canadiens. Defenceman Andrei Markov will return to the lineup on Saturday, when the Habs host the Florida Panthers.
Markov should immediately help ignite the Canadiens powerless power play. Montreal is dead last on the man advantage. Last year, they were one of the best teams in the NHL.
Markov is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Although Markov has never been considered for the Norris trophy, he is arguably Montreal’s best player. He is solid defensively, has a great first pass and is one of the better blueliners in the league on the power play. Plus, he’s become a leader on the team.
Over the last few years, Montreal saw Mark Streit, Sheldon Souray and Mike Komisarek leave for greener pastures without getting any compensation in return.
Replacing Markov, however, would be almost impossible. Others have stated they wanted to remain with the Canadiens, but they chased the money first chance they got. Who could blame them?
You could argue Markov is as important and valuable to Montreal as Zdeno Chara is to Boston or Drew Doughty is to Los Angeles.
In the past, the Canadiens have taken a wait and see approach with their free agents. However Pierre Gauthier can’t afford to roll the dice with Markov. The Russian defenceman has showed he is committed to staying in Montreal by becoming a Canadian citizen.
Now it’s time for the Canadiens to show some loyalty too.