So many shorts on fire...
Markov was a very good defenseman. He had great vision and saw the game very well, which was his greatest asset.
Markov was ok as a defenseman. His primary defensive ability was to stick check and cut off the angles. We was not a net or corner cleaner. I was always amazed at his magic ability to come up with the puck in a corner, but barey remember if i saw him flatten anyone to take the puck away.
That is the reason i put him up as very good versus great is because i expect a defenseman to actually do what is in the job description. Including being physical with opposing players.
In the last 25 years of darkness, i rate Markov 3, behind Weber and Subban as a DEFENSEMAN.
In the last 60 years, i can't rate Markov as one of our great top 6 greats. Maybe top 10. Closer to JC Tremblay then Robinson, Savard, etc
That's MY rating, you may have a different rating.