It was a great ending to a season that had an odd beginning for Andrei Markov. For the first time since the 2000/01 season, the 39-year-old was starting a new year on a team other than the Montreal Canadiens. After choosing to return to Russia and play in the KHL, Ak Bars Kazan would be the team to harbour the veteran’s talents from the blueline.
Markov had a hot start to his year with a goal and five assists in his first four games with Ak Bars. The points didn’t come as easily as the season progressed, but his play at both ends of the ice made him an effective player to have on the backend.