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Post by Willie Dog on Jan 10, 2003 8:20:53 GMT -5
This guys has made me feel so good about the future of this team.
He's a smart player
He's got slick moves (the rangers announcer last night couldn't stop raving about him)
He doesn't mind the rough stuff (went after crybaby Lindros)
He is able to get himself out of a jam (none of the other Habs d-men can do that, they just cough up the puck)
The guys is going to be the QB on this team for a long time.
All in all the habs seem to have a future all star and Norris trophy winner there.
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Post by TheHabsfan on Jan 10, 2003 8:27:35 GMT -5
You forgot to mention that he has a wicked shot. I think that he has been our "stud" since the beginning of the season. It's easy to say he is the #1 guy when you compare him to the rest of them. However, he is so far ahead of the nearest guy that it isn't funny...it really isn't funny. I think Markov will be in MTL for many years. At least, I hope.
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Post by Willie Dog on Jan 10, 2003 8:42:37 GMT -5
You forgot to mention that he has a wicked shot. I think that he has been our "stud" since the beginning of the season. It's easy to say he is the #1 guy when you compare him to the rest of them. However, he is so far ahead of the nearest guy that it isn't funny...it really isn't funny. I think Markov will be in MTL for many years. At least, I hope. Amen brother...Can I get an Amen!! Hallelujiah (does anyone know how to spell that?)
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Post by Ged on Jan 10, 2003 9:40:44 GMT -5
I knew from the first time I seen the guy. At that time all he lacked was a little physicality, but I believe he was just making an initial adjustment to the NHL. Usually takes a defenceman a little while to be comfortable. Especially when you're surrounded by boobs. The first thing I noticed about him, is he has great vision, something that just simply can't be taught. He's got a great shot. Good thing Blackburn didn't take that one in the coconut last night, 'cause I think it would have taken his head clean off. That puppy flew faster than Saddam's scuds. Also he's a great passer, knows the right moments to pinch, good skater, and can play defense. The man has got everything. Even an attitude. My only concern with him, is that he tends to embellish fouls a bit much. You don't need a reputation as a diver, and he does do that occassionaly.
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Post by MPLABBE on Jan 10, 2003 10:22:50 GMT -5
The kid is a stud
and he just turned 24...most d-men only mature at 28 or so...
Can you say Norris trophy winner eventually?
He will only get better and that is SCARY. In a good way ;D
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Post by Jessica on Jan 10, 2003 11:47:30 GMT -5
I agree with what everyone's saying but...What's a "stud"?
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Post by Willie Dog on Jan 10, 2003 11:49:45 GMT -5
I agree with what everyone's saying but...What's a "stud"? Do you have a crush on him???
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Post by MPLABBE on Jan 10, 2003 11:57:52 GMT -5
I agree with what everyone's saying but...What's a "stud"? In sports terms, someone who dominates his position and is better than 90% of his teammates..
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jan 10, 2003 12:20:02 GMT -5
Amen brother...Can I get an Amen!! Hallelujiah (does anyone know how to spell that?) Always drop the "i" when praising God.
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Post by TheHabsfan on Jan 10, 2003 13:39:15 GMT -5
In sports terms, someone who dominates his position and is better than 90% of his teammates.. In the case of the Montreal defense, he is better than 100% of them.
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Post by montreal on Jan 10, 2003 16:03:30 GMT -5
I like Markov a lot, and his improvement this year has been unreal. He has gone from more of stick checking, to actually taking the body, and doing a very good job of it. I've seen him hold his own against some of the biggest players in the league, and that's impressive.
Now I could talk about all his good points, but I'm going to focus on what he needs to work on. 1. His shot. Yes last nights shot was a cannon, and a great shot. Would love to see more of them. But overall, he still misses the net too much, and has too many shots blocked as he takes too long to get the shot off. 2. He keeps dropping like a ton of bricks. I've noticed lately that he will drop easily, which has gotten him a few calls, but one day it will cost him. 3. He's playing too good. It's contract time this summer, and he's up for a very big raise from the 700K he makes now. And he's making our 4M dollar defensemen look bad. ;D
I remember over a summer I would read a lot of trade rumors with Markov over at HF, but those are all gone now. He's really having a great season, and makes things less painful to watch when he's out there.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jan 10, 2003 16:14:15 GMT -5
Markov's devellopment has been largely helped by the fact that he doesn't understand what Green and Therrien are telling him to do.
;D
also developping a nasty/agitator side... Gotta like it.
BTW, how can any coach in it's right mind play Traverse to more minutes over Markov is beyond me.
Bring up Ward
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Post by MPLABBE on Jan 10, 2003 16:16:53 GMT -5
Markov's devellopment has been largely helped by the fact that he doesn't understand what Green and Therrien are telling him to do. ;D also developping a nasty/agitator side... Gotta like it. BTW, how can any coach in it's right mind play Traverse to more minutes over Markov is beyond me. Bring up Ward ;D ;D ;D It's probably true when you think of it RG: Andrei, see the stick? see the puck RG throws puck off the glass and out of the zone...this is what you do AM: OK (thinks he should NOT do what RG did) btw are you going to have Bring up Ward after every message? ;D
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Post by Ged on Jan 10, 2003 16:20:13 GMT -5
Markov's devellopment has been largely helped by the fact that he doesn't understand what Green and Therrien are telling him to do. ;D also developping a nasty/agitator side... Gotta like it. BTW, how can any coach in it's right mind play Traverse to more minutes over Markov is beyond me. Bring up Ward On last night's telecast Davidson was saying Markov is much improved this year, because he now understands English, and that the coaching staff can now converse with him. Man, you should have seen it. I was rolling on the floor, howling with laughter. ;D
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Post by Andrew on Jan 10, 2003 17:38:22 GMT -5
Markov has definitely made watching Habs games something to look forward to this year. He's great in his own end - holding his own against some big guns, almost always winning battles for the puck, and clearing the zone. I'd love to see him in the all star game, or the young stars game this year. Regardless, I think he'll be an all star by 2005 barring any serious injuries (knock on wood) - which brings up another thing I like about him: his toughness. He's taken some pretty good licks, and hard pucks, but always bounces back.
One more point. I'm not sure where the term "stud" came from in describing hockey players. I fail to see the association between a male animal, kept for breeding, and a talented hockey player.
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Post by HFTO on Jan 10, 2003 18:13:39 GMT -5
Great point Myhabits as soon as I saw you're thrad the first thing I tought about was his ability lately to make amends quickly for any blunders.He is Mr.hustle and has on several occassions raced back to break up any scoring chances as a result of a bad pass.I loved the second goal last night! HFTO
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Post by Bones on Jan 10, 2003 19:37:12 GMT -5
Markov is indeed a "stud", I was corncerned at first glance that he wasn't big enough, or was just another offensive dman. But he has excelled on both sides of the puck, has great intensity and backs away from noone.
His on ice vision may be the best on the team, and he seems like and very intelligent player, which should only get better as he becomes more comfortable communicating in a foreign language.
If our other defensive prospects(Hainsey and Komisarek) acclimate as well as Markov has to the NHL we'll have a great D corps for years to come.
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Post by UberCranky on Jan 10, 2003 22:07:24 GMT -5
While I never doubted his skill, I am suprised how far he has taken his physical play. This is a guy who was send down to Hamilton last November because he wanted to play pond defense.
Look at him now and then think what he could be in a few years. Can you say Lidstrom?
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Post by MPLABBE on Jan 10, 2003 22:14:27 GMT -5
Look at him now and then think what he could be in a few years. Can you say Lidstrom? At the same age......... 21/22 years old: Lidstrom:80 games 11 G 49 A 60P......0.75 PPG Markov:63 games 6 G 17 A 23 P.......0.37 PPG 22/23 years old: Lidstrom:84Games 7 G 34 A 41 P.....0.49 PPG Markov: 56 games 5 G 19 A 24 P...0.43 PPG 23/24 years old: Lidstrom: 84 games 10 G 46 A 56 P......0.67 PPG Markov: 41 games 8 G 16 A 24 P .......0.59PPG aside from the first year...pretty close eh and keep in mind the Wings were already good teams back then and I am sure Lidstrom was playing defence before the age of 19-20...that's the amazing thing about Markov..he has only been a d-man for like 4 years...
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Post by Andrew on Jan 10, 2003 23:16:06 GMT -5
At the same age......... 21/22 years old: Lidstrom:80 games 11 G 49 A 60P......0.75 PPG Markov:63 games 6 G 17 A 23 P.......0.37 PPG 22/23 years old: Lidstrom:84Games 7 G 34 A 41 P.....0.49 PPG Markov: 56 games 5 G 19 A 24 P...0.43 PPG 23/24 years old: Lidstrom: 84 games 10 G 46 A 56 P......0.67 PPG Markov: 41 games 8 G 16 A 24 P .......0.59PPG aside from the first year...pretty close eh and keep in mind the Wings were already good teams back then and I am sure Lidstrom was playing defence before the age of 19-20...that's the amazing thing about Markov..he has only been a d-man for like 4 years... Interesting point, though it's tough to compare stats from two different eras. In the past 11 years, the league has changed from a freewheeling offensive one to a tight checking defensive one. To put things in perspective, the highest scoring defenceman, that year, was Brian Leetch with 102 points - which is higher than last year's scoring leader. Brett Hull also had 70 goals that year. That said, I'll be over-joyed if Markov can develop into even 2/3 of a Lidstrom.
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Post by MPLABBE on Jan 10, 2003 23:19:34 GMT -5
Interesting point, though it's tough to compare stats from two different eras. In the past 11 years, the league has changed from a freewheeling offensive one to a tight checking defensive one. To put things in perspective, the highest scoring defenceman, that year, was Brian Leetch with 102 points - which is higher than last year's scoring leader. Brett Hull also had 70 goals that year. Which makes Markov's PPG average even more impressive... Same here.
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Post by Habsolution on Jan 11, 2003 1:44:06 GMT -5
What I also love about Markov is the way he backchecks when he makes an error. It leaves me with the impression he is so angry at himself he has to make the right play to counter his mistakes. When he coughs up the puck in the middle and that an opponent goes all alone he comes back with all the speed he can muster get beside the opponent and do unreal stickwork to make him lose the puck. He always does that and it almost always pay off. He plays the puck instead of playing the man. Which is european kind of hockey. Since I love flashy plays I'm totaly amazed at Markov defensive plays too! He has the tools to be a 1st dman. When I hear AS or MT say Rivet has made him look good I can't stop myself from laughing. It's SO the other way around.
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