Montreal Canadiens signs defenseman Andrei Markov to 3-year $17.25 million contract –NHL Update
Montreal Canadiens re-signed its defenseman, Andrei Markov, to a three-year $17.25 million contract in order to retain him from becoming an unrestricted free agent when the free agency begins on July 1st. The club announced this on Thursday.
This deal keeps his yearly salary unchanged from the previous contract which was $5.75 million.
“We are very pleased that Andrei has made the decision to pursue his career with the Montreal Canadiens. A player drafted and developed by our organization, Andrei brings a high level of talent and leadership to our team. We look forward to having him back
in our lineup for the start of the upcoming season”, Canadiens’ general manager, Pierre Gauthier, said in a statement.
The Russian native from Voskresensk was drafted in the 1998 National Hockey League (NHL) draft by Montreal Canadiens as the 162nd pick overall in the sixth round. He has remained with Canadiens for the last 10 seasons he has been in the NHL.
Markov was only able to play seven games in the previous 2010-2011 season as he had to discontinue due to a knee-injury which required surgery on his right knee.
He was still able to register three points in those seven games, including one goal and two assists.
The 32-year-old has played 623 games throughout his career for a total of 366 points, consisting of 81 goals and 285 assists.
Markov still continues to play for Russian leagues during his free time after the NHL and has participated with the Russian national team in the Olympics a number of times with the most recent participation being in 2010.
Montreal Canadiens was still able to enter the postseason this time around without its key defenseman, but was eliminated in the first-round by its rival team, Boston Bruins, in a close seven-game series.
Having Markov back in its line-up in the upcoming season will provide a defensive boost to Canadiens which it missed during the last postseason.
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