Canadiens Sign Andrei Markov to Three-Year Deal

The Montreal Canadiens announced on Thursday that they have signed defenseman Andrei Markov to a three-year contract worth $17.25 million. The deal will pay him $5.75 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In seven games last season, he had one goal and two assists for three points. Markov missed the last 65 games of the regular season and all seven of Montreal's playoff games with a knee injury. In 623 career NHL games, all with the Canadiens, he has 81 goals and 285 assists for 366 points. This is a decent signing for the Canadiens, as Markov has lots of offensive skill, is excellent on the power play, and is a good puck-mover. However, he has missed extensive time over the past two seasons because of knee injuries and shouldn't be counted on at this time to play a complete 82-game schedule. When healthy, he is an excellent defenseman, but if he should succumb to another injury next season, the Canadiens will likely find themselves looking for a long-term replacement for Markov.