A Winning Habit
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Andrei Markov: The Humble Russian

By Mat Germain

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Андрей Викторович Марков: Andrei Viktorovich Markov

Born: December 20th, 1978 (36)     Height: 6’0″   Weight: 205 lbs

Drafted: 162nd overall in the 1998 NHL Draft, after the following D were taken in the 1st rd:

May 7, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (79) looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Andrei Markov‘s Totals?

  • Andrei Markov (162nd) MON, 846 GP, 492 Pts
  • 157 points more than the best 1st rd D taken in same year
  • 137 points more than the 2nd best D in that same year (Jaroslav Spacek has 355 pts)
  • Only 13 forwards in that year’s draft have outscored Markov

That’s great value for what was a late pick.

1998 was a great draft year for the Habs. The other notable picks that season?

Still, of the lot, the Habs kept the very best one and have reaped the rewards since the day they drafted him. Over his time in Montreal, he has earned a place amongst those with the longest tenures in club history and is also among the Habs leaders in many categories, including the following:

  • 25th overall in points with 492 (6 behind Vincent Damphousse)
  • 12th overall in assists with 384 (4 behind Boom Boom Geoffrion)
  • 25th overall in GWG with 19
  • 17th overall in Games Played with 846 (6 behind Mario Tremblay)

May 12, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (79) and left wing Jacob De La Rose (25) talk during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in game six of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. The Lightning won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Being under contract for 2 more seasons, at $5.75M per season, there’s little doubt that Andrei Markov will end his tenure in Montreal as one of the best defensemen in their history. While we won’t compare his impact to that of Doug Harvey, he’s been a true rock on the blue line for 15 years and deserves more credit for his performance than he receives. His leadership abilities have grown throughout his career, and he now takes the time to pass on lessons learned to all players as often as he can.

P.K. Subban brings flash, flair, style, and an in-your-face style of hockey to the Montreal Canadiens. Andrei Markov, on the other hand, has an entirely different style and approach to the game. Despite different approaches, both are extremely effective at getting the job done and are amongst the leaders in the NHL on the blue line. Both are extremely proud and happy to be playing in Montreal and wouldn’t even think of leaving this great city for another club. Subban and his father both credit much of Subban’s success to playing with Markov, something that he surely quietly enjoys.

When he signed his latest contract, Andrei Markov stated:

"“I’m glad that deal is done,” “I was a little bit nervous when the time was getting close to July 1. I knew I wanted to stay in Montreal, and I had a feeling it was going to happen.”"

and added,

"“The game changes, the game gets faster, guys get bigger,” “You have to be ready for that and that’s what I tried to do. At the same time, you try to be better than before. That’s what I’m going to try to do, to be better than before. Even if I’m getting older, it doesn’t matter. In my mind you can improve your game at a young age or you can be older. Never stop to improve your game.”"

Andrei Markov holds dual citizenship (Russian and Canadian) for a reason. He’s proud to be in Canada and a member of the greatest NHL franchise. He loves this country, this city, and this team more than most people know.

"“I’ve always said, the feeling you have when you step on the ice here, the crowd and the atmosphere, you can’t compare it to any other building. The history and the organization here. … I always ask myself, ‘Why would I have to change that?’ ”"

THE INJURIES

May 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (79) speaks to goalie Carey Price (31) during the second period of game three of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Some of the biggest knocks about Andrei Markov are based on his injury status, something that stalled his career for a significant portion of his career. However, most people don’t give him credit for coming out of those injuries well ahead of schedule (2 months in advance in one case) and for doing what it takes to remain healthy thereafter. That has allowed him to continue to play in dominant form through his mid-30s, something that few people would have predicted a few years earlier.

The four years he spent missing significant time are not only of note for how effectively he has been able to rebound, however. They also point to how great his statistics could have been overall if he had remained healthy. Here’s how he compares to some of the game’s best during his tenure in Montreal:

  • Andrei Markov: PPG 0.58, OPS 42.5, DPS 47.4, PS 89.8
  • Scott Niedermayer: PPG 0.59, OPS 36.7, DPS 61.7, PS 98.4
  • Zdeno Chara: PPG 0.45, OPS 43.4, DPS 74, PS 117.4

If there’s a quiet and under rated leader on the Montreal Canadiens, it’s Andrei Markov. An extremely hard worker, his hockey talents come out ahead of most but are only sustainable because he puts in the work. His return to healthy and very productive seasons after battles with so many injuries are inspirational to his team mates and display a quiet tenacity that doesn’t require any words. When you watch someone return from 2 reconstructive surgeries on the same knee and return to form as one of the NHL’s top defensemen, you can’t help but realize you should follow that individual’s lead and put in the work as well.

In short, he’s been among the top tier of defensemen. He may not have the same kind of defensive pedigree as other top offensive minded defensemen, but his overall package was just as valuable to the Montreal Canadiens as other top D in the NHL.

RECENT QUESTIONS: FATHER TIME

Andrei Markov is getting older, but few cracks have shown up in his game. While some point to wearing down last season, particularly when the playoffs came around, his performance overall was outstanding. He played big time minutes against the best lines in the league all season long, finished his second season in a row with 81 GP, and managed his best PS season of his career with a 10.7 total. His DPS over his last 2 seasons have been his best overall (6.0 and 6.4), something that is also a result of playing with P.K. Subban and Carey Price.

The question most will pose is how long does he have left? Will the tank run out this year, or next? Should the Habs sign him once his contract runs out, and should his minutes be modified to help him have more in the tank when the playoffs come around?

Only Andrei Markov can answer these questions and he will decide how his career ends in Montreal. Will he earn the Stanley Cup he so badly wants to bring to Montreal, or will he have to settle for the great career he has enjoyed here?

Andrei Markov is a humble Russian. Unlike P.K. Subban, he won’t dazzle fans and seek their approval in an extroverted fashion. Instead, he will humbly continue to lead by example, to teach others what it takes to overcome barriers as they come up, and to seek the Stanley Cup he covets. In doing so, he’s also been able to help bring a Russian player like Alexander Semin to the Habs and will continue to do anything he can to make the team better.

May 14, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (79) faces the media during a press conference at the Bell Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

APPRECIATE ANDREI MARKOV

There’s a good chance he’ll attain is dream before the contract runs out, something that would surely impact the decision he makes on how many more years he wants to put his body through a gruelling NHL season. He is more than happy to see Max Pacioretty get the Captaincy and supports it despite being the one with the longest tenure in Montreal.

I sincerely hope that Montreal Canadiens fans appreciate all that he’s done for Montreal and that they admire him for what he’s overcome to get to where he is today. He’s a tremendous asset to the organization, and I hope he remains with the franchise once he completes his playing career.

I leave you with an older compilation of his highlights:

Next: Montreal Canadiens Drive for 25: P.K. Subban is Superman

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