He never got the credit he truly deserved – and for many fans, that might be the most shocking thing about Andrei Markov’s legacy.
On Wednesday night in Montreal, the spotlight finally swings back to one of the most quietly brilliant defensemen ever to wear the Canadiens jersey, as former No. 79 – affectionately nicknamed “The General” – is celebrated in a special pregame ceremony before the Habs face off against the Winnipeg Jets. But here’s where it gets controversial: for a player this influential, why did it take so long for the recognition to catch up with the impact?
Markov spent an impressive 16 seasons anchoring Montreal’s blue line, slowly but steadily becoming both a fan favorite in the stands and a trusted presence in the locker room. Earlier this year, the NHL named him to the Canadiens’ first Quarter-Century Team, a nod that underlines just how important he was to the franchise in the modern era. And this is the part most people miss: his greatness was rarely loud or flashy, which might be exactly why he flew under the radar outside Montreal.
Brendan Gallagher: The quiet genius
Brendan Gallagher remembers Markov first and foremost as an incredibly intelligent player. Markov was never the fastest skater on the ice, but he consistently made up for it with positioning, stick work, and anticipation.
He had a knack for reading where the puck was going before anyone else, almost like he was seeing the game one step into the future. By putting himself in the right place at the right time, he turned what could have been a limitation in speed into a strength in decision-making.
Alexander Ovechkin: A tough opponent, a valued teammate
Alexander Ovechkin describes facing Markov as a constant challenge because of how well Markov understood the flow of the game. Whenever Markov had the puck, Ovechkin knew something meaningful was about to happen, whether it was a perfectly timed pass or the creation of a dangerous scoring chance.
What adds another layer to this story is that Ovechkin not only battled Markov as an opponent in the NHL, but also had the chance to play alongside him in Russia and on the national team. That dual perspective – seeing him both across the ice and on the same bench – made it clear how much of a privilege it was to share the ice with him.
Carey Price: A model of calm leadership
For Carey Price as a young player, Markov became an example of how a professional should carry himself, especially away from the bright lights. Price saw how seriously Markov took his preparation, from off-ice habits to the way he practiced every day.
Markov’s demeanor was consistently calm and composed, almost stoic. He rarely showed strong emotions, never seemed rattled, and didn’t waste time fooling around – and for a developing goaltender like Price, that steady presence was a powerful lesson in how not to get overwhelmed by pressure.
P.K. Subban: The most underrated star?
P.K. Subban is blunt about it: in his view, Andrei Markov was one of the most underrated players of his era. Subban argues that Markov never received nearly enough credit for how good he was – or for how much he drove the team at both ends of the ice.
According to Subban, Markov was a true engine for the Canadiens, influencing the game defensively, offensively, at even strength, and especially on the power play. He believes that while many defensemen of that time picked up individual awards and headlines, Markov deserved to be talked about right alongside them.
Here’s where the debate really heats up: was Markov actually as good as, or better than, some of the more celebrated defensemen of his generation? Subban, who played with him and saw his impact up close, clearly thinks Markov belongs in that conversation. And on Wednesday, when the Bell Centre crowd rises to salute him, he will finally feel some of the appreciation that may have been missing during his playing days.
Jose Theodore: The emotion behind the stoic mask
Jose Theodore remembers Markov as extremely reserved – the kind of teammate who kept his emotions tightly under control. That’s why one specific moment stands out so strongly for him.
After the Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins in 2002, Markov leaped into Theodore’s arms in celebration, a rare burst of visible joy from a player who almost never let his guard down. Theodore even joked with him, asking why he didn’t smile more often.
That moment, for Theodore, was a glimpse behind the curtain: he saw just how intense and passionate Markov really was about competing and representing the Canadiens. Beneath the calm exterior was a fiercely proud player who cared deeply about his team and his role.
A legacy that invites debate
When you put all of these perspectives together – from teammates, opponents, and fellow stars – a clear picture emerges of a player whose impact far outweighed the attention he received. Markov was a strategist, a stabilizer, and a catalyst, all rolled into one, and yet his name is not always the first mentioned in discussions about the great defensemen of his era.
And that raises a controversial question worth asking: has Andrei Markov been undervalued in the broader NHL conversation simply because his style was subtle rather than spectacular? Should he be talked about more often among the elite defensemen of the last few decades, or is his current level of recognition exactly where it should be?
What do you think: did Andrei Markov truly get the recognition he earned, or is he one of the most overlooked stars in recent Canadiens history? Do you agree with Subban that he deserves to be mentioned right alongside the big-name, award-winning defensemen of his time – or do you see his legacy differently? Share where you stand, whether you’re all-in on “Markov was underrated” or you think the story is more complicated.
