STREIT SIGNING RAISES DOUBTS OVER MARKOV
The Canadiens signed a veteran defenceman who was an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday, but it wasn’t Andrei Markov.
Instead, general manager Marc Bergevin is bringing Mark Streit back to Montreal nine years after he last played for the Canadiens before signing with the New York Islanders as a free agent.
Streit spent four seasons with the Islanders before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. Last season, his fourth with the Flyers, Streit was dealt twice at the NHL trade deadline, first going to the Tampa Bay Lightning, then getting shipped to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he ended up winning the Stanley Cup.
Now Streit, who will turn 40 on Dec. 11, is back where his NHL career started, signing a oneyear deal worth US$700,000, with capfriendly.com reporting there is also $300,000 in possible bonuses.
Streit has had an impressive career for a player who was selected in the ninth round (262nd overall) by the Canadiens at the 2004 NHL Draft with 96 goals and 338 assists for 434 points in 784 career regularseason games. At the price, Streit is a very good signing by Bergevin, adding experience to the Canadiens’ blue line and a classy veteran in the locker-room, who also happens to be bilingual.
Streit shoots left, but can play either side and can also quarterback the power play.
But Streit is not Markov — and it remains to be seen how Streit’s signing affects the future of the Russian defenceman, who turns 39 on Dec. 20 and has been reported to be looking for a twoyear deal worth US$12 million. Streit posted 6-21-27 totals and was minus-12 in 68 regularseason games last season, while Markov had 6-30-36 totals and was plus-18 in 62 games. Markov averaged 21:50 of ice time per game, while Streit averaged 19:23 with the Flyers and 17:06 with the Penguins. Streit played only three playoff games with Pittsburgh, picking up two assists and averaging 15:03 of ice time.
When asked during a conference call Tuesday if his signing might have something to do with Markov’s future, Streit said: “I don’t know the details of negotiations between Andrei Markov and the Canadiens. I don’t know if it changed the situation. It’s something I can’t control.”
After signing Streit, Bergevin still has almost $8.5 million remaining in salary-cap space, according to capfriendly.com.
So the GM can afford to keep Markov if he wants — but might have something else up his sleeve as far as trades and where he wants to spend that money.
Centre remains a big problem for the Canadiens.
In the meantime, Streit is an inexpensive replacement — at least for one year — if Markov doesn’t return, and he’s very excited about returning to the Canadiens.
“Montreal always had a special place in my heart because I started there,” Streit said from his home in Switzerland.
“I know about the craziness, a lot of media and a lot of great fans. One thing I really always missed is playing at the Bell Centre. It’s a unique rink and unique fans and it’s just a unique atmosphere. If you get the chance to play every night in front of those fans and having that atmosphere and that life in the city, it’s very motivating.
“I’m really excited, really thrilled and I’m really proud to be a Canadien again.”
Streit noted he still has friends in Montreal, including Carey Price and Tomas Plekanec, who were teammates during his first stint with the Canadiens and will be again. Claude Julien, now in his second stint coaching the Canadiens, coached Streit during his rookie NHL season.
Streit said his agent was in talks with Bergevin for the last two or three weeks and that he plans to speak with Julien in the next couple of days about his expected role with the team.
When asked how his game has changed since the last time he was with the Canadiens, Streit said: “I think I’ve got more experience. I think I’m probably definitely a lot smarter defensively. I’m still a pretty good power-play player. I think that was my biggest asset 12 years ago and it still is. I think power play is about experience and reading and reacting. I think that skill gave me the opportunity to establish myself in the NHL.”
Streit added that he’s a young 39 since he only started playing in the NHL at 27 after spending five seasons with Zurich in the Swiss-A league and that he learned a lot during his short stint with the Penguins.
Streit will get his day with the Stanley Cup on Aug. 2 in his hometown of Bern, Switzerland.
“The Cup has only been twice in Switzerland and never in Bern, so everybody’s excited,” Streit said. “It’s going to be a big day for Bern and Swiss hockey and for myself and my family.”
Streit will also be getting something Markov has never earned during his 16 seasons with the Canadiens — a Stanley Cup ring.
It remains to be seen whether they will be teammates once again in Montreal.
Montreal always had a special place in my heart because I started there. I know about the craziness, a lot of media and a lot of great fans.