Fansided

NHL free agency: Top 25 players available

By Dave Stevenson

May 3, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (79) after scoring a goal during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (79) after scoring a goal during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Andrei Markov

Andrei Markov is another example of a player who has aged like fine wine. Sure, he’s not as nimble and quick on the ice as he used to be and he turns 39 in December. But Markov is still a legitimate top-four defenseman. Thanks to his high hockey IQ and excellent positioning, he’s been able to adjust his game.

Markov has spent his entire career to this point with the Montreal Canadiens. He loves it there and the feeling is mutual. Markov has quietly been a remarkably consistent defenseman, notching at least 30 points in each of his full seasons. His career was in jeopardy after suffering a terrible ankle injury and knee injury in consecutive seasons (2010-11 and 2011-12). Markov hasn’t been quite the same since those injuries, but give him credit for making critical adjustments to his game.

Best fits: It remains to be seen if he has serious interest in playing for any NHL team other than the Canadiens. If he doesn’t get a serious offer from them, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him go to the KHL. But if Markov wants to stay in the NHL, one would have to imagine he’d desire to go to a contender. He would have to lower his price, but he’d be a great fit for the Washington Capitals.

Depending on how the rest of the offseason goes, maybe the Pittsburgh Penguins, with former teammate Sergei Gonchar as a coach, will give Markov a chance. It would be sacrilegious to see him in a Maple Leafs sweater, but the fit is there.

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