Seems that Andrei Markov and Bobby Orr have one thing in common, although I’m betting Markov wouldn’t have selected what it was.
For those that don’t hear anything about the Habs outside of when some morons go on a post-playoff smash-n-grab, let’s rewind a few weeks back to the game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Both Markov and Eric Stall went into the boards, but Stall tried to slip around behind and his leg didn’t’ move fast enough, whacking Markov in his Achilles Heel and having him crumpling to the boards like he was shot. While Staal got flak for doing what he’s called out other players for, Markov wasn’t taken out by a knee-on-knee, but by his knee having the strength of thin glass. While he was able to leave the ice with some help, many fan were hoping that it wouldn’t be a repeat of his injury that kept him out of most of the play-offs last year.
No such luck.
It was announced today that Markov will be having his second knee surgery in the same year, the injury turning out to be a blown out ACL. This will leave the Canadiens without their #1 D-man and power play point man until next year, although for the former it’s not exactly a weak position for the Habs. And while Montreal has proven that they can win just fine without Markov in the lineup, their power play would probably be in the top ten, instead of tied with Vancouver for middle of the league.
While the Habs GM seems to be quite confident about his eventual return, stating that, “We are very confident that Andrei will be able to fully recover from this injury“, anyone who has known someone that’s had a knee injury, or has known someone who has, would have their doubts. While current medical technology will probably spare him from the fate of Bobby Orr or Gord Kluzak, the fact that it is his second injury to that knee in less then twenty four months. And being thirty-two by the time he comes back, it’d be a stretch to say that he’d be the same Markov that Habs fans have watched for the last decade and change.
So what should Montreal do? As much as I hate trading away talent, especially for players that have stuck with the team through the thin years, the Habs should probably look at getting something for him. With him becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, the Habs will get nothing if he heads to other pastures. Considering that his current paycheque is almost six million a year, it’d be a jump to consider that he’d take a major pay cut to stay on, and at thirty-two and the Canadiens depth at defense, they are in a position of strength negotiation wise. In short, if they can land something for his services, and if they cannot get a nice discount in contract negotiations, they probably should take the trade barring it being an absolute giveaway (think Chris Chelios for Dennis Savard bad). While it might be a hard sell, there’s many teams that have the cap room to afford taking a flyer on a very good defensemen that could deliver a rebound season a la Marián Gáborík, but also comes with the risk of having his ACL exploding like a grenade.
With fans debating whether management should cut ties with arguably their best player (although Price is making headway in that department), or to reward his loyalty and service with whatever offer that’s needed, and Markov goes under the surgeons scalpel, Montreal finds itself back in the same situation it has enjoyed for most of the season. And with Montreal currently sitting at pace to be within the top three for the Wales, I mean Eastern Conference, it makes sense to see if a first line scoring threat could be obtained to help light the red lamp. The fan in me would like for him to retire as a Hab, but the business side agrees that obtaining someone of value is needed more. And with ticket prices and salary demands strongly reinforcing that it is a business more then ever, loyalty sadly is too much of a cost.
Hopefully his career wont’ have Orr’s “Chicago Blackhawks” bookending to finish it.
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The owner of the Sports Blog Network, Chris tells it exactly as he sees it, be it in the stands, in front of the tv, or on his semi-trusty laptop. And always with a can of trusty Dr. Pepper by his side, and spell-check working overtime. 