Estimated_Prophet
Registered User
- Mar 28, 2003
- 10,309
- 13,504
What has Markov become?
- Thread starter MasterD
- Start date
I think Markov is still adjusting. It's clear he's lost a step. He was never a rocket, but he used to be able to cheat and get back to make a play with his stick. Now he cheats and just falls further and further behind on his way back to his own zone.
That's the bad news. The good news is a lot of the rest of what Markov was is still there. He's still very effective with his stick. He's still one of the best passers in the game. He still has an accurate wrist shot with a quick, hard release when he drifts in close. I just think he has to react to how he reads the game better. His instincts tell him to pinch, right now, but he's going to have to learn how to hang back. Rather than move himself on the PP he's going to have to learn how to make the opposition move for him. He needs fewer minutes a night, maybe only third line pairing plus all the PP time he cares to have. But he's still very good at most of the things he's always been good at.
That's the bad news. The good news is a lot of the rest of what Markov was is still there. He's still very effective with his stick. He's still one of the best passers in the game. He still has an accurate wrist shot with a quick, hard release when he drifts in close. I just think he has to react to how he reads the game better. His instincts tell him to pinch, right now, but he's going to have to learn how to hang back. Rather than move himself on the PP he's going to have to learn how to make the opposition move for him. He needs fewer minutes a night, maybe only third line pairing plus all the PP time he cares to have. But he's still very good at most of the things he's always been good at.
Hackett
BAKAMAN
I'd be careful reading anything into the markov that we have seen for the past 2 weeks.
Because if we read into the last 2 weeks, then we have to read into our beloved subban, who has been making alot of questionable plays during this skid as well.
Having said that, Markov is clearly not what he used to be. I think he is at the point where he needs to adjust his game and rely even more on positioning, because his recovery/skating is not quite the same. As he evolves, you shouldn't have him as your #1, but he's still useful.
If its a matter of being tired, that's really discouraging. Its not like he's been asked to play 30 minutes, or plays in a market where travel can be a grind. I don't buy it.
Because if we read into the last 2 weeks, then we have to read into our beloved subban, who has been making alot of questionable plays during this skid as well.
Having said that, Markov is clearly not what he used to be. I think he is at the point where he needs to adjust his game and rely even more on positioning, because his recovery/skating is not quite the same. As he evolves, you shouldn't have him as your #1, but he's still useful.
If its a matter of being tired, that's really discouraging. Its not like he's been asked to play 30 minutes, or plays in a market where travel can be a grind. I don't buy it.
29dryden29
Registered User
I see him as a PP specialist and a #5 on many other teams he is making some rookie level mistakes bad pinches and even some bone headed passes.
Over our losing streak he is not alone but he has had some very glaring brain farts all season long.
Over our losing streak he is not alone but he has had some very glaring brain farts all season long.
A #5?..Ya, on which teams exactly??
That's ridiculous.
Can't say I'm surprised though, your evaluation of PK was also completely off before the season.
Just one more year of Markov next season, and then Habs can let him go or re-sign him for cheaper or short one-year deals.
Subban will reach his prime, and kids like Tinordi, Beaulieu will pick up the slack.
Subban will reach his prime, and kids like Tinordi, Beaulieu will pick up the slack.
agreed , he finishes next season and we dont sign him , he is done folks , he cant play 82 games anywhere near the Markov of old , and old MAB is about right
time for Nathan and Tinordi to be fully phased in , and out with Cube and Markov
Edgy
Registered User
- Nov 30, 2009
- 3,848
- 3,719
He's already played 68 games after playing 20 games total in the past 2 years. Also due to the shortened season, the game schedule is more condensed so it's only natural that it takes its toll.
He may not be back to the old Markov we knew, but calling him an old MAB is major
worthy.
Sorinth
Registered User
- Jan 18, 2013
- 11,412
- 7,631
Well the polls board have been ranking the defenceman. Markov came in at #15. So how some people have him as #4 or #5 is beyond me.
Subban and Markov together is not a very good combination.
I too would rather see Gorges with Markov.
You are not allowed to criticize Subban on this board.
Sure you are, but it have to make sense.
jpchabby
Drive for 25
- Mar 3, 2006
- 3,803
- 79
This, 100% this.
He's such a smart player, and he sees the ice so well, but the wheels ain't there anymore... if he realizes this for next year, we'll be good.
Perhaps adding Tinordi next year for the whole season is gonna take away some ice time from Markov, even though they really aren't the same types of players...
DAChampion
Registered User
- May 28, 2011
- 30,688
- 24,292
At the beginning of this year, half the board thought markov would be better than Subban.it was absurd to read.
ECWHSWI
TOUGHEN UP.
- Oct 27, 2006
- 28,604
- 5,423
Blind Gardien
nexus of the crisis
Markov is conciously taking some chances and he's not really winning overall on those gambles. He can't recover well. But he'll get a chance to reflect and he might get a better partner next year. And he might have a bit more zip after having this recovery year under his belt. I'm not worried. He's smarter than the average bear. He'll do something stupidly smart to make it all work out. He's still ridiculously good.
You are not allowed to criticize Subban on this board.
at the start of the year when pk was holding out most on here thought markov was our #1 d man!!!!its not even close now.markov NEEDS a lesser role or he will be exposed.he has been on for twice as many even strength goals as pk has in the last 10 games. his time as a top pairing d man is nearing the end.he cannot contain players in our zone.nothin against him he's just getting old.
shows how little people on hf boards actually know about the game of hockey.lol.there's like two people on here who's words i listen to.
I agree that Markov is wearing down.
In no way do I desire to pit Markov against Subban in any debate. Each has their own skill set which is unique.
ECWHSWI
TOUGHEN UP.
- Oct 27, 2006
- 28,604
- 5,423
ah yes of course, I forgot P.K. has been a Norris calibre D for soooooo long, silly me.
I find it difficult to assess what he is without knowing whether his conditioning or health has been impacted by the injuries. If this is the new Markov at 100%, he's a good 2nd pairing D with offensive flair and 1st pp unit capabilities. If this Markov is still adjusting to his injuries and re-establishing his conditioning, then he's still a top pairing D for next year but may play on the 2nd unit while Subban finds himself on the top unit with a defensively responsible partner. I can't pass judgment on this and as none of us have access to Markov's trainer, I find it hard to believe anyone can think he's either over the hill, on the downside of his career, or just running out of gas due to his injury history. I'll let you know by midway next year when I see how he acts after a full summer of training and conditioning.
If you're asking me to judge him on how he's been this year and how I would evaluate his contributions if he provided the same thing next year, he'd be a 2nd / 3rd pairing D with lots of vision and offensive upside as well as a powerplay specialist. He's just been really easy to beat on the outside, seems to have lost a step, and sometimes seem to ill-time his pivot when he realizes he's been beat to the outside.
If you're asking me to judge him on how he's been this year and how I would evaluate his contributions if he provided the same thing next year, he'd be a 2nd / 3rd pairing D with lots of vision and offensive upside as well as a powerplay specialist. He's just been really easy to beat on the outside, seems to have lost a step, and sometimes seem to ill-time his pivot when he realizes he's been beat to the outside.
CanadienShark
Registered User
- Dec 18, 2012
- 37,443
- 15,263
He's a greedy, money loving, cheapshot artist that can't fight and is a locker room cancer. Makes sense?
Goldthorpe
Meditating Guru
Jeez guys, he's just tired, that's all.
He played a truckload of minutes after having been out of the game for years. And he's not some kido full of energy.
He was very good at the beginning of the season, I really don't see anything to be concerned at. Hopefully he'll play a bit less next season, but he's still a very valuable member of this team.
He played a truckload of minutes after having been out of the game for years. And he's not some kido full of energy.
He was very good at the beginning of the season, I really don't see anything to be concerned at. Hopefully he'll play a bit less next season, but he's still a very valuable member of this team.
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