Friday Habs Headlines: Adieu, Andrei

Montreal Canadiens news and notes:

• After 16 seasons, Andrei Markov will not be returning to the Montreal Canadiens. [NHL.com | EOTP]
• The veteran blueliner will join Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL. [TSN]
• Markov made the decision for family reasons after the Canadiens wanted to delay contract negotiations until September or October. [EOTP]
• The breakdown in negotiations came with shock and confusion. [Twitter]/

Sometimes things don't make sense. Markov wanted to stay with Canadiens, said he was willing to take 1-year deal. Why isn't he back?

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) July 27, 2017

Get sense MON wanted to wait until Sept/Oct to see what could happen. No doubt Bergevin wants to try...something...with cap space https://t.co/KPBks2Mzjj

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 27, 2017

• Larry Robinson was full of praise for Markov. [NHL.com - Dave Stubbs]
• Markov’s departure puts the Habs in a difficult situation. [Sportsnet - Eric Engels]
• The Canadiens have serious problems now finding someone to launch their offence. [RDS.ca - Gaston Therrien]
• Arpon Basu is puzzled at how Markov left on someone else’s terms. [NHL.com - Basu]
• One of Markov’s former defence partners weighed in on the news. [Arpon Basu]/

I spoke to Markov's old defence partner and wedding attendee P.K. Subban to get his reaction and this is what he said. pic.twitter.com/qCUgLmgVVw

— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 28, 2017

• John Lu thinks that this day was avoidable. [Twitter - Lu]/

Most memorable Markov moment: Becoming a Canadian citizen. He loved Montreal, loved the #Habs and wanted to stay. Parting was avoidable.

— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) July 27, 2017

• The Habs are making a smart bet on Ales Hemsky. [TSN - Travis Yost]/

Around the league and elsewhere:

• Frölunda has extended European Coach of the Year Roger Rönnberg until 2022. [Patrik Bexell]/

Frölunda HC agrees to terms with Joel Lundqvist until 2020, and Coach Rönnberg to 2022... WOW! https://t.co/5dnoxJtp80

— Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) July 27, 2017

• Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, and Mike Fisher have been contacted regarding potential Olympic participation with Team Canada. [TSN]
• The Minnesota Wild are looking at long-term deals for RFAs Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund. [TSN]
• Hayley Wickenheiser is challenging NHL players to speak up about their Olympic desires. [TSN]
• Adidas is selling CCM to Toronto-based Birch Hill Equity Partners for $110 million. [Sportsnet]
• Former Hab Dwight King is heading to the KHL. [Rick Dhaliwal]/

Hearing UFA forward Dwight King will be signing in the KHL. #Canucks showed mild interest.

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 27, 2017