Andrei Markov

Andrei Markov was drafted late in the 1998 draft, 162nd overall in the sixth round by the Canadiens. Before coming overseas to play for the team that drafted him, Markov played for the Dynamo Moscow. He was considered the best defenseman still playing in Russia.  Andrei Markov reported for duty the 2000-2001 season playing for the Canadiens in the NHL and the Quebec Citadels in the AHL, which back then were the Canadiens' AHL affiliate team while the Hamilton Bulldogs were Edmonton's. Markov would do the same the next season, in 2001-2002, as he perfected his defensive game.

In 2002-2003 Andrei Markov found a cozy spot on the Canadiens' roster and never looked back. During the lockout Markov went back to Russia to play for the Dynamo Moscow. Andrei was named the best defenseman of the 2007 IIHF World Championships. In 2007-2008 Markov had a career year and put up 58 points that season and was voted into his fist All-Star Game. The year after he topped those 58 points with 64 and attended his second All-Star game. Last year Markov battled injuries which have crept into this season as well.

Andrei Markov is one of the best offensive defenseman in the league. He stretches teams out with his accurate passes. Markov's play is comparable to Sergei Gonchar's. One of Markov's strengths is on the powerplay where he is the Canadiens' quarter back where you will often see him sneak in behind defense especially on the powerplay for a cross crease tap in.

One of the many attributes Andrei Markov brings to the Montreal Canadiens is his veteran presence on and off the ice. He is a man of few words but when he speaks you listen. During the 2009-2010 season Markov called out Carey Price in the locker room after an overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. From then on it seems that Carey Price turned a corner and began to mature as a professional hockey player. Andrei Markov also leads on the ice by example with his strong work ethic and cool demeanor.

Andrei Markov's strengths include his transitional game, his ability to pinch on the play, and his crisp passes. His transitional game is really what sets Markov apart from the other defenseman in the league. He tends to slow play down enough to make the best play to exit his zone and provide a great scoring chance for his team.

Andrei Markov's downfall of late has been the injuries he has sustained. Markov went down at the start of the 2009 season when he was clipped by Carey Price's skate and severed a tendon in his leg. After missing the majority of the season, Markov was injured once again during the second round of the playoffs that season after a hit from Matt Cooke. Markov would be out of commission for another 6 months. Andrei Markov finally returned to play a month into the 2010-2011 season only to re-injure his same knee after several games. Andrei Markov is now expected to miss the majority of the 2010-2011 season. He becomes a free agent in 2011.