Insider links former Habs D-man to different Canadian team!

There is no doubt veteran defenseman Andrei Markov is serious about making an NHL comeback. On Wednesday morning, it was announced that he had hired agent Allan Walsh as he looks to return to the NHL this season.

Things are getting serious, which prompted Jared Clinton of The Hockey News to dress a list of potential destinations for the veteran blue liner. While some expect him to return the Montreal Canadiens or even join his former teammate P.K. Subban with the New Jersey Devils, Clinton believes another Canadian team could be in the mix. 

Clinton reports that the Calgary Flames could seek a replacement for sidelined defenseman Juuso Valimaki and go after Markov in the coming weeks. However, they have to consider his age and asking price before making his acquisition a reality. 

The THN insider also notes Colorado Avalanche could use a little more experienced blueline depth, as could the Edmonton Oilers. Another Canadian team in the mix! Markov could be an upgrade for what the Oilers have right now on the back end and we all know GM Ken Holland appreciates a good veteran on his roster. 

It remains to be seen what Walsh can do in the coming weeks to get his client back in the NHL. 

After 16 seasons in Montreal, Markov left the Habs two years ago after he was unable to come to a contract agreement with GM Marc Bergevin. He returned to Russia and spent the past two seasons with the KHL’s Ak Bars Kazan, recording 47 points in 104 games, winning the league’s Gagarin Cup back in 2018.

Markov was selected in the sixth round, 162nd overall by the Canadiens at the 1998 NHL Draft. In his tenure with the club, he recorded 119 goals and 572 points in 990 games. He would have loved to play 1000 games with the team, but might get to do it with another Canadian club, if Clinton is right…