Report: Surprising details surface regarding veteran UFA’s negotiations

Veteran defenseman Andrei Markov made it clear last season that he wasn’t interested in playing for any other team but the Montreal Canadiens. In fact, back in April the 38 year-old blue liner expressed his desire to retire with the Habs. Yet, here we are with the calendar ready to roll over into August and Markov and the Habs remain without an agreement for the 2017-18 season and beyond.

Now, a report from Sportsnet hockey writer Eric Engels, is casting some serious doubts on Markov’s playing days at all, with the Habs or otherwise.

Check it out this quote from Engels:

“In fact, sources close to Markov have informed Sportsnet that he has yet to actively seek out offers from other teams.” 

Uh… what? He hasn’t even made a phone call? What about those Flyers rumors from a month ago? Was that just a smoke screen? In any case, it’s clear that Markov, who is representing himself in negotiations and forgoing the use of an agent, has all but completely bungled his chances of signing a new deal. Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin has stated both privately and publicly that Markov’s salary demands are ridiculous and that if he wants to remain with the team, he’ll have to seriously alter his strategy. Maybe it’s time to hire an agent, Andrei?