Report: Habs offer 4-year deal to Andrei Markov

[zetterbergfuturemvp 0]

5.75 per year .................LOL ........ridiculous , absolutely ridiculous

[Mighty Wings 0]

Wow. Sucks for us as it drove up schneider's asking price. I don't see how he's not convinced that he'll get $3.5 - 4Mil now.

Edited May 28, 2007 by Mighty Wings

[Saran 1]

Wow, I can't believe he got $5.75 Million/Year!?

[YoungGuns1340 1]

It looks like many of you arent familiar with Andrei Markov, because hes asking price does not have the bearing on Mathieu Schneider's price tag as most of you think.

Andrei Markov is not simply an offensive defenseman, but a great all-around defenseman. Contrary to what many might think, Sheldon Souray is not Montreal's #1, its Andrei Markov. And rightfully so. Hes got the offensive package, yes, but he also has the defensive package as well. Montreal is not offering some Dman who can put up 50pts a season a fat contract just because of his point total. Theyre locking up the cornerstone for their back end to a relatively long-term deal through his prime years.

Now, as we all know, Mathieu Schnedier is NOT a #1 Dman, does not have elite defensive skills, and is well out of his prime. Many GMs also know that Schneider has been bitten by the injury bug quite a few times and is also the beneficiary of playing alongside Niklas Lidstrom year in and year out. People know its no coincidence that Schneider's best years have conveniently come while playing with Nick.

If teams are really hungering for an offensive powerhouse, and have 5M to offer, theyll take the hit and go after Souray for a little bit more - the best offensive Dman in the league who is still in his prime, is gritty, has leadership skills, and fights. Or theyll consider Brian Rafalski who is better than Schneider defensively, equally good offensively, and a little younger as well. Theres also Timonen.

Edited May 28, 2007 by YoungGuns1340

[Zeta Power 40 1]

It looks like Sheldon Souray is now out of Montreal.

[GoHabs007 0]

It looks like many of you arent familiar with Andrei Markov, because hes asking price does not have the bearing on Mathieu Schneider's price tag as most of you think.

Andrei Markov is not simply an offensive defenseman, but a great all-around defenseman. Contrary to what many might think, Sheldon Souray is not Montreal's #1, its Andrei Markov. And rightfully so. Hes got the offensive package, yes, but he also has the defensive package as well. Montreal is not offering some Dman who can put up 50pts a season a fat contract just because of his point total. Theyre locking up the cornerstone for their back end to a relatively long-term deal through his prime years.

Absolutely, Gainey maybe overpaid, but you can't blame him. Somebody would have been willing to shell out 6 million for him once he hit the open market. He is easily Montreal's best defenseman. Sure, Souray gets all the press because of his shot, but he is not very good in his own end. You could fill an entire highlight show of him being beaten one-on-one. I'd take Markov over Souray any day of the week, as would any GM looking for a complete player.

Also, this signing pretty much ensures Souray will not be back, to there will be no panic signings in Montreal. They have 30 million locked up for players already signed. They still need to resign RFAs Ryder, Higgins, Komisarek, Plekanec, and Gorges. That figures to be in the 7.5 million range for the five of them. That leaves about 7.5 million to replace roster spots held by UFAs Souray, Bonk, Johnson, and Niinimaa. Were they to sign Souray for the 5+ million he'll go for, they will have no chance of making any splashes in the FA market, unless they can find someone to dump Samsonov's 3.5 million onto.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Let's just hope for Montreal's sake that Markov doesn't turn into Bryan McCabe part deux. It might certainly turn out that way.

Of course, theres a difference. Markov is a good player, while McCabe sucks.

[Guest ZDH]

Let's just hope for Montreal's sake that Markov doesn't turn into Bryan McCabe part deux. It might certainly turn out that way.

Of course, theres a difference. Markov is a good player, while McCabe sucks.

When did Andrei Markov become this elite defensive shut down dman? I must have missed something. Now he's paid $5.75 million. When I see the Habs play I notice Souray's wicked bomb from the point but I rarely notice Markov. What am I missing here? Because he is paid like a great dmen all of a sudden he is one? I don't understand.

It's like players are being paid now for what they might do now.

[Kp-Wings 3]

When did Andrei Markov become this elite defensive shut down dman? I must have missed something. Now he's paid $5.75 million. When I see the Habs play I notice Souray's wicked bomb from the point but I rarely notice Markov. What am I missing here? Because he is paid like a great dmen all of a sudden he is one? I don't understand.

It's like players are being paid now for what they might do now.

Read the post. I never called him a great shutdown defenseman. That was somebody else.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Too much IMO , His Salary is only a mil or 2 away from Niedermayers and Lidstroms contracts.

Hes not that kind of defenceman.

[GoHabs007 0]

When did Andrei Markov become this elite defensive shut down dman? I must have missed something. Now he's paid $5.75 million. When I see the Habs play I notice Souray's wicked bomb from the point but I rarely notice Markov. What am I missing here? Because he is paid like a great dmen all of a sudden he is one? I don't understand.

It's like I said, Souray is more noticeable but not nearly as good an overall player. Sure, he can hit and shoot, but that's about it. He hardly fights anymore because he's injured his wrist so many times. His defense is about the worst on the team, as evidenced by his team worst -28, the worst of any D-man in the league. If he were a forward, he'd be that 4th liner who only plays the powerplay. For every goal he scores, he'll make a number of defensive errors that lead to goals or good scoring chances.

Markov, on the other hand, is a much more complete player. He's an excellent playmaker, he makes plays for those around him. His first pass out of the zone is the best on the team. He's the best defensive player on the team. On a team dominated by minus players, Andrei was a +2. He is far more important to the team than Souray is. There's a reason he wasn't cast aside by team Russia like so many of their regulars in the past WC: because he's a very, very good player. He simply does so quietly. And really, in your own end you don't want to hear a d-man's name, because if you do, it's probably because he's made a mistake (like Souray).

He's been underrated by those outside of Montreal for a long time, but Habs fans know how much he means to the team. He is right up there with Koivu in terms of importance to the Habs. Did they overpay? Yes. Is it worth it to keep him? Yes. He brings more to the table than a lot of guys who are playing for 4.5-5 million, like McCabe.

Edited May 29, 2007 by GoHabs007

[Guest ZDH]

Read the post. I never called him a great shutdown defenseman. That was somebody else.

YOU read the post. Nowhere did I reference you saying that. I've seen Markov play a few times the past 2 years on NHL Centre Ice. At no time did he strike me as a player who should be making $5.75 million a season. Like what am I missing here? Is this the next great dman of our time? I just don't see it.

It's like I said, Souray is more noticeable but not nearly as good an overall player. Sure, he can hit and shoot, but that's about it. He hardly fights anymore because he's injured his wrist so many times. His defense is about the worst on the team, as evidenced by his team worst -28, the worst of any D-man in the league. If he were a forward, he'd be that 4th liner who only plays the powerplay. For every goal he scores, he'll make a number of defensive errors that lead to goals or good scoring chances.

Markov, on the other hand, is a much more complete player. He's an excellent playmaker, he makes plays for those around him. His first pass out of the zone is the best on the team. He's the best defensive player on the team. On a team dominated by minus players, Andrei was a +2. He is far more important to the team than Souray is. There's a reason he wasn't cast aside by team Russia like so many of their regulars in the past WC: because he's a very, very good player. He simply does so quietly. And really, in your own end you don't want to hear a d-man's name, because if you do, it's probably because he's made a mistake (like Souray).

He's been underrated by those outside of Montreal for a long time, but Habs fans know how much he means to the team. He is right up there with Koivu in terms of importance to the Habs. Did they overpay? Yes. Is it worth it to keep him? Yes. He brings more to the table than a lot of guys who are playing for 4.5-5 million, like McCabe.

So you are fine with your Habs paying Markov $5.75 million for being Mike Ramsey?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

The Leafs and the Habs have hindered what a defenceman is worth in the NHL these days.

McCabe - 5.5 mil , WAY Overpayed

Kubina - 4 mil , WAY Overpayed , One of the most overpayed Players ever for what he does.

Markov - 5.75 mil , Habs are nuts.

I cant wait to see what Scott Hannan and guys like Greg De Vries and Souray will get in the off season , way over payed again Im sure.

Schnieder and Markov probably wont cost us too much , even with the over payed defenceman out there (imo).

[GoHabs007 0]

So you are fine with your Habs paying Markov $5.75 million for being Mike Ramsey?

What kind of a comparison is that? Markov had more assists this year than Ramsey ever had points!

As I've said twice already, I'm getting sick of saying it, the Habs overpaid. The thing is, everyone overpays. Unrestrticted free agents who are desirable get overpaid, it's how things work. I'd take him over Souray any day at that price. I'd take him over McCabe and Kubina who are in the same range. I'd take him over Jovo who just got a fat deal last offseason. He's now making 1 million more than Foote and Johnsson, he's worth a lot more than either of them.

You put him on the open market, and someone would have given him a 5 year deal for 6 million, you can bet on that. That's money that is much better spent on Markov than Souray. The Habs are much better off keeping Markov, signing a solid stay-at-home D-man, and using their money for a top forward like Drury, Briere, or Smyth. Let the forwards do the scoring and let the defencemen concentrate on defence.

Kubina - 4 mil , WAY Overpayed , One of the most overpayed Players ever for what he does.

If you think he's overpaid at 4 million, then you'll love it even more to know his cap hit is even higher, 5 million.

[Kp-Wings 3]

YOU read the post. Nowhere did I reference you saying that.

Why did you quote me then? This is what I'm getting at here.

[Aeothe Kaear 0]

This is only slight overpayment, really... quietly effective, consistent #1 defenseman.