After the Montreal Canadiens announced Thursday that Andrei Markov won't return following 16 seasons and 990 games with the club, the veteran free-agent defenseman can now set his sights on finding a new home for the first time in his NHL career.
Last season, Markov tallied 36 points in 62 games, recorded a 54 Corsi For percentage, and logged nearly 22 minutes per night.
With many teams in the hunt for a legitimate top-four defenseman, Markov shouldn't have trouble landing a contract, as long as he's willing to take a one-year deal.
Without further ado, here are three teams that could use the 38-year-old's services:
Edmonton Oilers
Believe it or not, the 2017-18 season could be Edmonton's best chance to claim the Stanley Cup. Signing there would also be Markov's best shot at winning the title.
Connor McDavid's $12.5-million cap hit doesn't begin until 2018-19, so the Oilers currently have $16.8 million in cap space for the coming season. Sure, Leon Draisaitl still needs a new contract, but it's doubtful he'll command north of $10 million.
That would mean the Oilers could meet Markov's reported salary demand of $6 million per year. Edmonton wouldn't be able to give him a two-year contract, but at this point in the offseason Markov might have to settle.
The Oilers currently have a gaping hole among their top four defensemen, as Andrej Sekera was given a six-to-nine month recovery timeline from a torn ACL suffered in May. Even when he does return, there's no guarantee he's the same player.
Markov would solidify the club's second pairing behind Oscar Klefbom and Adam Larsson, allowing youngster Darnell Nurse to remain sheltered on the third unit for another season.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres have been on the verge of making the leap for a couple of seasons now. Markov could give them that extra boost to get over the hump.
Here is the team's current defenseman projection for 2016-17:
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Marco Scandella | Rasmus Ristolainen |
| Jake McCabe | Zach Bogosian |
| Josh Gorges | Nathan Beaulieu |
| Viktor Antipin |
Ristolainen, Scandella, and Bogosian are capable of playing top-four minutes, but the remaining players are not. Signing Markov would push McCabe down to a more fitting role on the third pairing, make Gorges or Beaulieu a reliable seventh defenseman, and give the recently signed Antipin a year to adjust to the North American game with a season in the AHL.
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are still at the tail end of their Stanley Cup window. Joe Thornton is back for another year, and Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture, Brent Burns, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, and Martin Jones are still in their primes.
Amazingly, the team has $8.7 million in cap space. It doesn't necessarily need a defenseman, but Markov would certainly be a welcome addition.
Here is how San Jose's defense currently projects for next season:
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Paul Martin | Brent Burns |
| Marc-Edouard Vlasic | Justin Braun |
| Brenden Dillon | Dylan DeMelo |
Markov could bump the steady but unimpressive 36-year-old Martin down to the third pairing, sending DeMelo to the press box.
More importantly, the Sharks' power play ranked 25th in the league a year ago. Markov, a noted specialist with the extra man, would surely help the struggling unit and give the team one last kick at the can.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
(h/t to Cap Friendly)
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