http://www.tsn.ca/habs-will-not-re-sign-d-markov-1.815156

That's huge, and let's discuss the implications

1) What does this do to the Canadiens defensive depth chart?
2) What is a "fair" contract for Andrei Markov?
3) Do the Canadiens make the playoffs next season?

1.) Well it prevents their blue line from getting even slower.
2.) The Leafs like giving out overpriced contracts to aged vets, so maybe they'll take a whack at Markov.
3.) Yes, on the back of Carey Price they'll nab a wild card spot.

I don't see any problem with this thread, but this is what people don't like when i post it ... is this some sort of thing where other people can post this stuff but i can't? Either way:

1) Well, as much as it'll be too bad to see him go for the Habs, at this point in his career it wasn't a huge loss. Probably a big one but not a huge one.
2) SJS maybe? Or Carolina. Someone for 1 year at 3.5M?
3) No, they can't play as a team, like we saw in 2015-16. And if they do they probably lose in round 1.

This is important news. "Toronto in the market for a defenseman" isn't news

yeah, but Markov is not at all the player he was 5 years ago. And i only think Toronto needs defence because i DON'T think Gardiner is a top pairing D like most people.

I would say a fair deal for him would be 2 years at around 5 mil or 1 year at more like 6 mil. I really don't see the Canadiens making the playoffs unless the bottom 6 plays like a top 6 group.

I can see Markov going to the panthers on a two year 5.5 ish deal give or take 250k in either direction.
I think they are going to struggle for a playoff spot. You can expect Price to score the goals for you and that was MTL's problem last year. The idea was to have Drioun AND Radulov for the goal scoring. They will have to make some young bets in McCarron and Hudon.

Update: Markov will be heading to AkBars Kazan of the KHL, instead of taking options with the NHL.

Disappointing to hear, since he really could have made a difference for some teams, but it just boosts Russia's at the next Olympics.

Andrei Markov just told reporters he passed up NHL opportunities to go back to Russia and play in the KHL. Guess we will see him at Olympics

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 27, 2017

Yes those Canadians are in the know aren't they?

....huh?

..

When one of those Canadians is Elliotte Friedman, yes they are.

That's not the point

I hope to see number 79 in the rafters next year.

yeah, he might retire his number.