After a NHL return attempt failed to produce a contract this summer, Andrei Markov has returned to the KHL. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl announced today that Markov has signed a trial contract with them, keeping him overseas for the time being. The 40-year old defenseman had expressed a desire to return to the NHL, but never did land a new contract.
The long time Montreal Canadiens star left for the KHL in 2017 after 990 regular season NHL games, and actually won a Gagarin Cup with Kazan Ak-Bars in his first year back in Russia. One of the most successful and decorated Russian defensemen of all-time, Markov has three championships in his home country, three World Championship medals, a World Junior silver and took part in multiple NHL All-Star games.
Selected in the sixth round of the 1998 draft, Markov quickly became a household name after making the move to the NHL, and was one of the most consistent two-way defenders in the league for some time. Racking up 572 points over his career, he is tied with Guy Lapointe for second among all Montreal defensemen, only trailing the great Larry Robinson.
No kidding he didn’t get a deal. Basically said he wanted to play for one team, is 40, and his skill set and speed are all a shadow of his former self.
Was a weird attempt at a comeback if you can even call it that
For Markov, I think it was more about getting to 1,000 games played. Unfortunately, age caught up with him.