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Is it time to trade Markov?


Psycing

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On a personal level, I love Markov. He's a career Hab thus far and remains a threat on the powerplay. However, in the bigger picture, I can understand why trading him now makes sense.

He's nearing the end of his career and while he's likely to take a pay cut to remain in Montreal, a new contract might still quite rich for a 35+ player. His play dropped off both last season and this season at about the midway point. While this could be attributed to Therrien's line juggling, good players find ways to succeed under most (if not all) situations. What if Markov's game regresses considerably over the next few years and the Habs lock him up on a three or four year deal?

Again on the flip side, who's capable of filling Markov's minutes in the Habs lineup if he's moved? The team has found varying degrees of success without him while he recovered from reconstructive knee surgeries in the last five years. Nathan Beaulieu is getting a serious look and could be a lock to stay with the team through to the end of the season. I assumed that he was the natural replacement for Diaz, who is almost surely to get moved by the deadline - but maybe he can inherit Markov's role sooner than later.

For a player with Markov's talent, moving him would return solid assets for the Canadiens - whether they be picks or prospects. Of course, moving him also weaken the team's defense core, which could prove problematic in the playoffs.

What do you guys think? Should the Habs trade him and look to the future? Or keep him, re-sign him, and hope he holds up through the playoffs and forthcoming seasons?

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Guest Stogey24

No. This team's future is better with Markov than without.

How? Bergevin said himself that Montreal won't be a contender for another 4-5 years. Markov will be useless by then. Why not get a player and a pick that is going to help us in the future.
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How? Bergevin said himself that Montreal won't be a contender for another 4-5 years. Markov will be useless by then. Why not get a player and a pick that is going to help us in the future.

Because I'd rather a veteran like Markov to ease the young players in and teach them how to play in Montreal. Markov knows it better than anyone. He's a leader in that locker room. I want Nathan Bealieu to learn everything he can from Markov. I want this team to have options on their powerplay. I also don't want to throw the entire pressure of the blueline on Subban the way Toronto did to Dion Phaneuf.

Keep the high skill, trade the low skill.

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Guest Stogey24

Because I'd rather a veteran like Markov to ease the young players in and teach them how to play in Montreal. Markov knows it better than anyone. He's a leader in that locker room. I want Nathan Bealieu to learn everything he can from Markov. I want this team to have options on their powerplay. I also don't want to throw the entire pressure of the blueline on Subban the way Toronto did to Dion Phaneuf.

Keep the high skill, trade the low skill.

Markov has become a liability. For him to make 5.75 million to be a power play specialist is ridiculous. Markov is starting to show the warning signs of a player who is passing his prime. He doesn't have the legs any more which would be fine if he was a big stay at home D-man, but he's not. His bread and butter is rushing the puck and pinching in. So now he's pinching in and getting caught because of his foot speed it becomes a major problem.
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I would trade him this year, I know..where's the loyalty....

He won't be asking for a cheaper salary just to stay here and finish his career, let's get real. Other teams will be offering him a lot more money than what he can substantially bring in the future to the Habs. His agent is well aware of the market for puck moving PP specialists such as Markov and will be asking for a long term contract, wouldn't we all if we were in his shoes.

He's on the downside, let's be honest about it. Unfortunately, he's a twist away of blowing one of his knees.

The Canadiens are rebuilding, let's use his trade value to better our team long term. We need to trade assets to get assets.

I understand the locker room presence, blah blah argument but the tam has coaches to help with player development....

Trade Markov (as well as all other underperforming players)

BTW, the Bourque for AVs Parenteau player, too funny.

I'm getting fed up with this ridiculous idea that MTL needs French players. if they could put a mute Shrek team on the ice that was entertaining to watch, fans want the team to win, does Nationality have anything to do with that....

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I think its pretty simple, If you can sign him to a reasonable deal of no more than 2 years prior to the trade deadline then you keep him. If not you have to at least consider offers for him. Some GMs can get pretty crazy around deadline time, ie. 2 2nd rounders for Murray. Markov would probably net you a sweet prospect that could step in next year or a good prospect and a first (18-30 range) or a 1st and 2 2nds.

It is always hard to trade someone who has been the teams best player for a number of years and is a lifer and if he is traded i will definitely be sad to see him go. However we dont want to make the same mistake Calgary made, imagine where they could be now if they had traded Iggy 2 years before they did.

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I would of traded him in early December (with value through the roof). but like u say, he is a top 4 d-man (or was then) and Bergevin likely needs option 'B' to play 20+minutes first.

However, Habs did just have a 20(Beaulieu)-20(Dietz)-21(Tinordi) and 23(Pateryn) year old as top 4 d in Hamilton, so obviously Mgmt must think thrusting kid d-men into important roles (ready or not) can work fine.

But, overall I would have to say bye bye to #79, keep eye on the future and hope Habs can play rest of March well and maybe win 1st round (which is at present is a matchup with the Bruins).

Will he be traded, no.

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I would give the team until the Olympic break to pull there heads out. Otherwise I would start moving vets and other players to get bigger, faster, younger.

MB can add a 1st, a couple of 2nds and a few prospects with the group he can trade.

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It's hard to seperate emotion and logic where Markov is concerned for me...love the guy. On a team with several players I truly hate, he has consistently been a guy I love having on the team....BUT....I hear what you're saying; getting something for him rather than having a 'bad contract' in a couple of years and getting nothing is a situation that has to be considered very carefully. The value of trading him cannot be dismissed.

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It's hard to seperate emotion and logic where Markov is concerned for me...love the guy. On a team with several players I truly hate, he has consistently been a guy I love having on the team....BUT....I hear what you're saying; getting something for him rather than having a 'bad contract' in a couple of years and getting nothing is a situation that has to be considered very carefully. The value of trading him cannot be dismissed.

Bourque is only one who I have a dislike for, simply because of the God-given talent and body he has, but is a disconnect between the ears that needs therapy of some sort.

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Remember, between the ears he has had 3 concussions I believe since joining the habs. Most posters want him to retire, most posters want Bourque's head on a stick.


Sorry, want Parros to retire after his 2 concussions this year.

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How's this for scenario...Markov goes to the Olympics and injures himself....can't trade him and what do you suppose happens in the off season...do you actually think he will sign for a lifer discount. (do you actually believe that players enjoy playing in MTL compared to other lesser hounded by mediatic circus cities like Florida. If I was a pro hockey player, send me to Florida, Phoenix, wherever I don't have headline hunting worthless journalists like we seem to have in MTL or Toronto asking the same bonehead questions and that's besides the paparazzi. Can any hockey player simply buy a carton of milk without having a picture taken or being followed).

If we offer him 5M for 2 years and some other team offers him 5 years and the moon to boot. (Ya right, he's going to sign here because of the possible jobs he will have in Quebec.lol)

I don't know much Russian but I know human nature, I sign where the "rubbles" are for as long as possible. I'd tell MB "nyet" on the short term contract.

Sorry folks if I'm rambling on.lol

Edited by bigbigbear
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If Bourque is damaged goods due to concussions, then that is a shame. But on a hockey level, I don't give a rat's ass. He is useless and should either be dumped, told to go home or should do the decent (and prudent) thing and hang 'em up.

Now, Markov. I agree with sim.on above: it all comes down to salary and term. He is in serious danger of becoming a 5th defenceman who becomes a 2nd defenceman on the PP: a classic "specialist," on a continuum with guys like Marc-Andre Bergeron. The "leadership" argument only goes so far. Lots of other players can provide leadership. Heck, you can always go and sign a guy like Hal Gill, i.e., an unambiguous bottom-pairing veteran defenceman at a reasonable rate, to provide that. And when we're talking leadership, let's remember - it's not like Markov has won Cups or anything.

And that gets to another option, i.e., the UFA (or trade) markets. I'd prefer to see the Habs adding a legit #4 defenceman with a less flashy offensive upside, but a much stronger and more reliable all-around game, than Markov seems to be bringing; that'd be a better use of $5 mil IMHO.

When you consider the return Markov could generate at the deadline - at least a 1st rounder, probably more - I incline to the view that the organizationally responsible thing to do is move him. (Admittedly, I'm also looking for signs from MB that he has the necessary ruthlessness to make major moves - this would be one example).

That said, if we re-sign him on a short-term deal at a reasonable rate, I won't pull out my hair about it.

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Well as I have preached before, if he is not going to be a part of the cup winning team that we are building in the next 3 years, then he has to go. It is a hockey decision. Sure he makes us better now. but we are not a contender now, according to the GM, who thinks he has 5 years to rebuild team. ( I got some news for him......don't bet on it) Therefore start building that cup winning team now, get some goal scoring. We need a sniper and if Markov will get us that do it. Love the guy and would have really liked to have him retire as a Hab but winning a cup is bigger than one individual, no matter how great a guy he is.

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I'd love to see Markov retire as a life long Hab, that sort of thing doesn't happen very often and is special when it does. But realistically, I guess alot depends on his contract negotiations. As a hockey move, there will always be a spot for him here.

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If you lived in Calgary, you'd know the Bourque we are seeing is the Bourque Calgary saw during his last two years. He was getting crucified both by the local media, as well on HNIC by Hrudy, for showing up every 10 or 12 games, not using his size, taking stupid penalties and generally not caring. The guy has size but didn't hit unless it was a cross- check.

Remember, between the ears he has had 3 concussions I believe since joining the habs. Most posters want him to retire, most posters want Bourque's head on a stick.

Sorry, want Parros to retire after his 2 concussions this year.

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I'm on the fence with trading Markov, for the reasons listed in this thread. I don't think he will be traded unless our collapse continues right into the Olympic break, at which point we should sell all or most of our vets. And maybe, organizationally, this would be best for the future - change direction with the coaching staff and take a more concerted rebuild.

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I've made my opinions known about Markov. For me, it's time to move on. I understand the attachment fans have to Markov, and he's been around since I was in middle school, but if you can get value from a declining asset, you have to take it. As far as the leadership argument goes, we already have Josh Gorges back there, how many more marginal players do you keep around with big contracts for "leadership?" Before the Markov Echo Chamber responds, that's what he's going to be going forward, a 4/5 and a power play specialist. Trading him also protects MB from himself, and forces him to play Subban 25-28 minutes instead of giving PK shifts to Markov.

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Absolutely he should be moved, but for prospects, as opposed to draft picks. Shorter development time. At worst a combination of the two. If you can get a 2nd rounder for Hal Gill at the trade deadline, what would Markov fetch from a team looking for a 2nd pairing PP guy and 3rd pairing even strength guy who can play key minutes. I'd say a good prospect and a 2nd rounder. Make the move!

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Well as I have preached before, if he is not going to be a part of the cup winning team that we are building in the next 3 years, then he has to go. It is a hockey decision. Sure he makes us better now. but we are not a contender now, according to the GM, who thinks he has 5 years to rebuild team. ( I got some news for him......don't bet on it) Therefore start building that cup winning team now, get some goal scoring. We need a sniper and if Markov will get us that do it. Love the guy and would have really liked to have him retire as a Hab but winning a cup is bigger than one individual, no matter how great a guy he is.

ditto

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I'd love to see Markov retire as a life long Hab, that sort of thing doesn't happen very often and is special when it does. But realistically, I guess alot depends on his contract negotiations. As a hockey move, there will always be a spot for him here.

Would be a feel good story to retire as Hab, but dosent happen often on a struggling franchise. And sorry to say, is totally irrelevant to good business. Even #99 or Joe Montana got the boot and Markov is no different.

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