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What has Markov become?

MasterD

MasterD

Giggidy Giggidy Goo
Jul 1, 2004
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At the start of this year, no one knew what to expect of him after missing almost 2 complete seasons. Some (most) thought he was finished. Some thought he would come back and be the #1 defenseman he was years ago.

46 games in, he has 9 goals, 18 assists for 27 points. -12.

What role does he fill in on the team now? #1-#2? Offensive minded #3-#4? PP specialist?

I am not too sure how to evaluate him at this point. He has always had great anticipation and vision, his passing abilities are off the charts. His shot has always been a good, accurate one, but he never used it enough. On the other hand, he slowed down A LOT, especially in the last few weeks. I ac only imagine how slow/tired he would become on a 82 games schedule. He's also not a very physical presence.

I guess the way I see it, he's a declining #3 who will probably be a #5 PP specialist within 2 years... unless he comes back and surprises everyone à-la Gonchar.

Thoughts?

EDIT I don't necessarely mean where does he fit on OUR CURRENT depth chart, because I think only Subban is better, but... if another team was to trade for him, what is his value league-wide, what does he represent?
 
I think he became a player whose minutes should be limited to 20-21.
 
LeMAD said:
He's our new M-A Bergeron.
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68 said:
An older, slower, better Marc-Andre Bergeron.
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This is ridiculous, I'm sorry. Bergeron is absolutely awful at everything except one thing. Markov should not be used in the role he's used in and takes far too risk for someone as slow as he is, but I don't feel like I'm going to have a stroke every time Markov handles the puck.

Markov has at times been a liability defensively, but comparing him to a fringe NHLer, really? Is that how extreme everything has to be on this board? Whatever problems he has, I'm not convinced Markov is as bad as Streit defensively, let alone Bergeron.
 
Et le But said:
This is ridiculous, I'm sorry. Bergeron is absolutely awful at everything except one thing. Markov should not be used in the role he's used in and takes far too risk for someone as slow as he is, but I don't feel like I'm going to have a stroke every time Markov handles the puck.

Markov has at times been a liability defensively, but comparing him to a fringe NHLer, really? Is that how extreme everything has to be on this board? Whatever problems he has, I'm not convinced Markov is as bad as Streit defensively, let alone Bergeron.
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Ya there is no way he is as bad as MAB. MAB is just horrid defensively, his only asset is shooting. Even his vision and passing isn't that good.
 
I think he will be fine. A player coming back from a 3 year hiatus and being thrown into this condensed schedule was bound to catch up to him. It's too bad Therrien hadn't considered this and played Subban the heavier minutes early on and gave Marky some much needed rest.

What the hell do you people expect? Those even mentioning MAB in this conversation should just exit now. You have no clue about any of this. the guy has had multiple surgeries, barely played in 3 years and comes back to playing 3/4/5 games per week at 25mins a night. Unless he was super human, of course he would slow down as time goes on. Markov was absolutely fine early on, the condensed season/big minutes/ lack of game shape over the past 3 years is playing a role. He may have lost a step for good, but his hockey sense will compensate eventually, once he gets some rest.

To me this was easily foreseeable, but for some unknown reason Therrien insisted we wear the guy out. Even stranger, we have a guy who is more capable than he is in most situations, but weren't using him in them.
 
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Well his vision and smarts haven't dwindled. He just hasn't adjusted his approach to his new speed limitations. He should play less minutes as well. He's an asset regardless but he needs the right partner to maximize his effectiveness and minimize his weaknesses.

While where he would play in actuality is irrelevant, I see his proper role as follows:
With the right partner: #2D - Second Pair, PPQB
Without the right partner: #3/4 - Second/Third pair tweener. PPQB

He simply can't be the defender he once was but he isn't chopped liver. Give him the right partner to handle the rough stuff and retrieve the puck and he'll be very useful.
 
Yep I think on a team with depth in the D category he would be a #4 pairing 20min per game, but I think the Habs are forced to play him more as we have had injuries to key D-men, this time of the year, should be when players like Markov get a rest every game or so to prep for playoffs but we can't afford to unfortunatly.
 
E = CH² said:
I'm afraid the coaching staff overplayed Markov into the ground. Hope I'm wrong.
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Agreed, in the beginning the KHL benefitted him, because he was coming in with games under his belt, while others didn't have a training camp. He was ahead of them in the beginning, but coach Therrien decided to play him at 25minutes a night in all situations, despite the fact he hasn't played significant minutes in three freaking years. He's not 25 yrs old, of course he's going to tire. I expect Markov will be a great contributor next year, providing his minutes are restricted just a bit. This year, they should have been around 20minutes a night once the season wore on.
 
He's never gonna be the player he once was. His weaknesses are exposed.

Since game 1 of this season he's been cheating his way around. It just became more obvious the last month.

This team needs Markov at 100%, but it's just not going to happen. I wonder what he is gonna do when the habs let him go/trade him.
 
HeShootsHeScores said:
He's never gonna be the player he once was. His weaknesses are exposed.

Since game 1 of this season he's been cheating his way around. It just became more obvious the last month.

This team needs Markov at 100%, but it's just not going to happen. I wonder what he is gonna do when the habs let him go/trade him.
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He isn't being let go or traded, so I don't think he'll lose much sleep.
 
He just got slower. Hopefully he'll get some of his limited speed back.

It wouldn't be that bad if he would actually realize it, because he's been pinching like Subban, but doesn't have the wheels to back it up anymore. If he steps it down, he'll be a very useful #3 for 3-4 years.
 
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