Markov leaves Habs, moving back to Russia

After 16 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, defenceman Andrei Markov is heading back to Russia.

The 38-year-old said he will play in the KHL and possibly the Winter Olympics next season after failing to reach an agreement on a new deal with Montreal.

Markov said he was not interested in skating for any other NHL club than Montreal, where he played 990 games and put up numbers that placed him among the best defencemen in the storied club’s history.

And he did not rule out returning to the Canadiens — or to the NHL — one day.

“It is tough,” he said. “I made it clear at the end of the season that I wanted to stay with the Montreal Canadiens for the rest of my career.

“It didn’t happen. It’s a business. I’m not blaming anyone. I’m ready to move forward,” he said.

“But it is tough that I’m not going to play my 1,000th game for the Canadiens. At least not this year.”

He did not name his new KHL team because he has not yet signed a contract.

The move is a blow to the Canadiens, who lose a first-rate passer and puck mover who was solid at both ends of the rink despite limited mobility from age and three major knee injuries earlier in his career.

Markov elected to represent himself in negotiations with general manager Marc Bergevin rather than use an agent because, while he drew interest from other NHL clubs, he knew he would only talk to Montreal and figured it would go smoothly.

He has earned the same average annual salary of US$5.75 million in three contracts during the past 10 seasons.

Markov’s 119 goals are thirdmost by a Montreal rearguard and his 572 points tie him with Guy Lapointe for second in team history.