If Andrei Markov had his way, he'd be reunited with the Montreal Canadiens and playing in North America. However, he understands it's not entirely up to him.

"Yes, but it's not just my decision," the longtime defenseman told the Montreal Gazette's Stu Cowan when asked if he hopes to play in the NHL next season. "I'm trying to prepare myself for that, but we'll see what's going to happen, you know."

Markov, who spent the last two seasons with the KHL's Ak Bars Kazan, said he'd prefer to return to the Canadiens - the club with which he spent all 16 of his NHL campaigns - over playing with any other team.

"That's my dream, you know. But, like I said, it's not up to me. We'll see … we'll see what's going to happen. I'm not kind of in a rush. I'll try to train hard and prepare myself."

As far as the term he's seeking, the 40-year-old isn't looking for a long-term deal.

"Most probably it's going to be my last year," he said. "I'm looking for a one-year contract and (would) try to enjoy that and give my all."

The Canadiens would obviously have to be open to bringing Markov back, which general manager Marc Bergevin wasn't interested in doing when the two sides went their separate ways in 2017.

“I was looking for (a) two-year contract (back then)," Markov told Cowan. "I don't want to go back (and revisit that) … there's no point to go back. Whatever happened at that time, it happened. They have their view, I have my view, that's it."

Markov helped Ak Bars win the Gagarin Cup, the KHL championship, in 2018. He ranks sixth in Canadiens history with 990 games played and also sits sixth on the franchise's all-time assists list (453) to go along with 572 points.

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