Markov Planning A Birthday Return For December 20?

by Robert L on Dec 12, 2009 2:34 PM EST Comment 6 comments

Translated from an article by Marc - Antoine Godin in yesterday's La Presse

Andrei Markov turns 31 on December 20. Could it be that Markov is planning to return to the ice on the day he celebrates his birthday?

One thing is certain, the Russian blue liner is far ahead of schedule in rehabilitating the achilles tendon injured in the season's first game.

Friday morning, Markov skated alone for 60 minutes and it can be said that not only was the familiar fluidity to his stride in evidence, but that his bursts were explosive, leading to the belief that such a return to the team's ranks could come any day now.

Markov has accompanied the team to Atlanta this evening as the Canadiens prepare to face the Thrashers. The Habs PP quarterback is not expected to play, but is scheduled to meet with team doctors on Monday to get the green light. The simple fact that he has rejoined the team suggests that he has reached an important step in his recovery.

If there is one rival player interested in these developments, it would be the Penguins' Sergei Gonchar. The veteran Russian defender would surely love to count on Markov's contribution come time for 2010 Olympics.

"I'm of the opinion that Markov will be back before January, so he will have had enough time to be ready for the games," Gonchar states. "He's good enough to quickly refind all his synchronism. We've played together on occasion in the World Championships, but it's hard to say if we will be paired in Vancouver. When we did play together, we had no trouble finding each other on the ice"

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I really hope Markov is as much a game-changer as we all hope he is, because the Habs have been a disaster for several games and have luck and Price to thank for being above water at this point. I hope Olivier’s right and his return will bump everyone down a spot and will lead to a better transition game (read: a transition game that actually exists) and the Habs not spending entire games in their end.

by MathMan on Dec 12, 2009 10:04 PM EST reply actions

Once Markov is in game shape and has reassumed his usual 24 minutes per game, it can’t do anything but have a position effect on every player who’s on the ice with him.

by Robert L on Dec 13, 2009 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

My own personal fantasy is that Markov pushes Bergeron onto the 4th line and Laraque out of the lineup.

Seeing that Gorges is doing algright with Gill and that Hamrlik and Spacek are doing quite a but of heavy lifting, I’d give O’Byrne the old Komisarek treatment and let Markov make him look good.

But hey, I’m just a dog posing as a human on teh internets…

by Olivier on Dec 14, 2009 12:26 AM EST up reply actions

Oh, and I guess a reasonable person would have a pretty valid point arguing I have creepy fantasies and should get a life :)

by Olivier on Dec 14, 2009 12:27 AM EST up reply actions

True enough, so long as this lack of transition game isn’t by design.

Markov’s a fantastic passer, but his passes are by nature riskier than the safest play available (ie. clear to the neutral zone). This is why Markov tends to rack up statistical giveaways. Those passes are an absolutely essential part of his game, and I worry that an overly risk-averse approach might induce him to reduce his effectiveness.

by MathMan on Dec 13, 2009 3:45 PM EST reply actions