Habs Re-Sign Markov

[RGM81]

3 year deal for $5.75M per season.

Discuss.

[RGM81]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Markov's been a workhorse and general on the backend for many years now. He's not what he used to be, but he's been healthy for the past two seasons and that's a great change from his injury-riddled years. But he's getting up there in the years and looked tired at times in the playoffs. Can't skate anywhere near as well as he used to and got turnstiled a couple times. I hope that it pays off for the team, but it does limit the opportunities for advancement for Tinordi, Beaulieu, and Pateryn in the short term.

Unless, of course, there's trades to be made.

[centrehice]

That should push Markov into retiring as a Hab. He's a great player, but has lost half a step due to injury and age now, but still one of the best at home. He has great puck sense, something that you won't find in guys like Gonchar the prima dona.

[Gibby]

Wow !! I thought they would use the $$$ for some up front size/help

Hope he can still skate in year 3 otherwise it will be the Year of the Pylon

[JVW]

I think most people think 3 years is a little too long. The same amount of money for 1 or 2 years would have been better. However, the Habs definitely need him for this next season. He is still a top four defense man and stats from this past season show it (18th overall for D in points, 9th overall for D in ATOI). I don't think Montreal has young defense men right now who can replace him and I don't think there is a trade or free agent signing that would be as easy to get. Hopefully players like Beaulieu and Tinordi will get a lot of playing time as the 5th or 6th Dmen this year. With that experience, who knows where Markov will be playing in the third year of his contract. But he did take a bit of a discount by not taking a pay increase with the salary cap going up. Present need, the Habs need him next season. Many teams sign for the now and deal with the consequences of the contract later. But coaching is going to be a big factor. Therrien will have to start spreading out the minutes for all his defense men. If the Habs make it to the playoffs, he should think of resting Markov a little more than just one game down the stretch.

[keithman07]

With the cap rising and Markov's hit remaining the same, I'm okay with it. Would have preferred 2 years but Markov deserves to retire a Hab, and now he'll get his wish. Hopefully Emelin finds more of a groove next year to balance the tandem out.

If anything, he'll be a great mentor for upcoming players like Beaulieu.

[sholi2000]

He was an absolute soldier. Never complained, worked hard, is one of the smartest players in the org, and even though he's aging he still one of the best defenseman in the East. He does it all.

Lastly he is a great example of how you treat loyal players. He never asked for the moon, and took a discount to stay. Had he gone to UFA and he would have gotten 6-6.5 from someone.

Now get PK locked up for 8 years and the summer is complete!

[mikecole141]

3 years might be too long, unless he really is healthy again like he was this season and over the injuries that plagued him in the past. If this is the case and the Habs on the advice of their doctors are the only ones with the full story probably made the right decision because now you have Markov for three more years, and Subban is probably going to be sgned for mad dollars and the maximum deal.

I hate this deal... But then again anything that is good for the Habs I'm not going to like...

Sholi2000 is right too, Markov probably would of gotten 2-3 years from another team for more money.

[sholi2000]

Had they not signed Markov, the Habs would be fighting for a playoff spot, that's how important he is to this team. After PK the Habs are average on defense when it comes to offense. Can't wait to see the young guns get more ice time this coming season, we have three older guys packing er in so it's going to be an adventurous 2015. Price will be busy, but he' used to that.

[30ranfordfan]

It's the going rate for a player of his ilk, even if he's getting old..... wait until Matt Niskanen signs for 7m per season next week. Heck, the Oilers just spent 4.5 million per season signing Nikita Nikitin. Not a bad deal at all.