It’s unclear exactly how much longer Andrei Markov’s NHL career will last, but the 38-year-old is aiming to play into his forties.
According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, the Russian blue-liner is seeking a multi-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens opposed to a one-year deal. Markov is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Re-signing Markov is a priority for Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin—so is inking Alexander Radulov to a new deal and locking Carey Price into an extension.
Sportsnet’s Eric Engels wrote earlier in the week that a one-year offer for Markov “seems likely” but that “anything more than a two-year request from Markov seems like a non-starter.”
Markov has spent his entire career with the Canadiens after the team drafted him in the sixth round (162nd overall) in 1998. In 2016-17, Markov registered 36 points in 62 games and moved into a tie for second place on the Canadiens’ all-time list for most points by a defenceman.
The Canadiens are in the process of re-tooling their defence both long-term and short-term. Bergevin traded away the franchise’s top defensive prospect, Mikhail Sergachev, in order to acquire Jonathan Drouin from the Lightning. He also sent Nathan Beaulieu to the Sabres and acquired former Sharks d-man David Schlemko from the Golden Knights.
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