Bad news for Andrei Markov...

Bad news for Andrei Markov.

It looks like the former Canadien, who decided to go back in Russia to play in the KHL in order to have a shot at the Olympic Games, may not participate in this important event, after all. According to former NHL head coach Bob Hartley, Markov isn't in the plans of the Russian Federation.

"According to my sources, Andrei Markov isn't part of the Russian Federation's plans for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games."

Is it because of his age? Because it certainly isn't because he underperforms: he currently has four goals and 11 assists, good for 15 points and the seventh rank among the league's blueliners. It is important to mention he is the best Russian d-man, ahead of Vasily Tokranov and Nikita Tryamkin, who both have 14 points.

It is therefore pretty weird to learn he would be left out of Team Russian, since he keeps producing even though he is getting old.

Markov's organization, the Ak Bars Kazan, is currently ranked first in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 18 wins and 9 losses.