I give the Montreal press corps a hard ride sometimes, so it's in my mind that I should pay them compliments when I see their good work.
I am not all that enamoured by the tempest they have created by making Markov's last game in the KHL a big issue. But compared to how it could have gone, they did some positively textbook journalism.
Showing posts with label return. Show all posts
Showing posts with label return. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Markov Back On Skates
According to CJAD, Markov took to Brossard ice on skates earlier today. This isn't some unfounded rumour, but straight from the horse's (well in this case Cunneyworth's) mouth.
Well, I guess he won't be playing tonight then. But when if at all will he play this season? Here's a little timeline from the last attempted return:
Day 0: Markov returns to skate on his own
Day 7: Markov returns to practice with the team
Day 14: Markov cleared for contact
Day 21: Markov travels with team to Anaheim
Day 22: Markov opts out of Anaheim game
Day 23: Markov heads to LA for further tests on his knee
Day 25: Markov undergoes further knee surgery (with 4-6 week prognosis for recovery.
6 weeks on from Dec 3rd was some time in mid-January. Sitting here on the last day of January, we can surmise that either Markov's knee needed more recovery because it wasn't healing well. Or, much more likely, that he and the team took a more conservative schedule for return this time around.
Last time from first hint of skating to game readiness was about three weeks. 22 days from today would slate Markov for a return against the Stars at home on February 21st with a potential 21 games left in the season.
But let's not ignore the evidence. if the approach is more conservative, I think the timings for each landmark in recovery will be more sparsely spaced this time. Keep an eye on when milestones come up, but let's set early March as the time in our minds. That's my feeling on this.
Should he return at all?
For me this question is a non-starter.
If he is healed properly and as he's followed all precautions this time, his chance of injury this season should be sufficiently low. Certainly, if he is cleared by his own specialist doctors, I would feel comfortable that any increased chance of injury in a game this year is barely detectable versus any future year.
From a team standpoint, the possibility is that by March there will be little to play for but losses. And the thinking goes that keeping Markov out would put him in full fitness for a return to a fully fit and (no doubt we'll build to this summer crescendo again) contending team next fall. But let's not kid ourselves. Injuries can happen any time (remember Markov in August?) and saving something for the future like this is seldom more than blind optimism. Markov would benefit from playing within this 18 month period of his lay off, even if it only reminds him of his passion for the game. That alone will be of enough value to the Canadiens to justify a return to a non-playoff team.
Well, I guess he won't be playing tonight then. But when if at all will he play this season? Here's a little timeline from the last attempted return:
Day 0: Markov returns to skate on his own
Day 7: Markov returns to practice with the team
Day 14: Markov cleared for contact
Day 21: Markov travels with team to Anaheim
Day 22: Markov opts out of Anaheim game
Day 23: Markov heads to LA for further tests on his knee
Day 25: Markov undergoes further knee surgery (with 4-6 week prognosis for recovery.
6 weeks on from Dec 3rd was some time in mid-January. Sitting here on the last day of January, we can surmise that either Markov's knee needed more recovery because it wasn't healing well. Or, much more likely, that he and the team took a more conservative schedule for return this time around.
Last time from first hint of skating to game readiness was about three weeks. 22 days from today would slate Markov for a return against the Stars at home on February 21st with a potential 21 games left in the season.
But let's not ignore the evidence. if the approach is more conservative, I think the timings for each landmark in recovery will be more sparsely spaced this time. Keep an eye on when milestones come up, but let's set early March as the time in our minds. That's my feeling on this.
Should he return at all?
For me this question is a non-starter.
If he is healed properly and as he's followed all precautions this time, his chance of injury this season should be sufficiently low. Certainly, if he is cleared by his own specialist doctors, I would feel comfortable that any increased chance of injury in a game this year is barely detectable versus any future year.
From a team standpoint, the possibility is that by March there will be little to play for but losses. And the thinking goes that keeping Markov out would put him in full fitness for a return to a fully fit and (no doubt we'll build to this summer crescendo again) contending team next fall. But let's not kid ourselves. Injuries can happen any time (remember Markov in August?) and saving something for the future like this is seldom more than blind optimism. Markov would benefit from playing within this 18 month period of his lay off, even if it only reminds him of his passion for the game. That alone will be of enough value to the Canadiens to justify a return to a non-playoff team.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Markov to Return
They say tomorrow. Who knows, perhaps tonight?
Whatever the case, by the time this weekend is through, the Canadiens will be a team led once again on offence by Andrei Markov.
In preparation, here's a look at some of his more impressive statistics from last season:
4.171
Goals per 60 minutes that Andrei Markov was on the ice for last season (top on the Habs)
This number included 3.442 GFON/60 at even strength, 10.383 GFON/60 on the PP, and 0.612 GFON/60 while shorthanded. The ES and PP numbers (the ones that really count) are also top two from the team last year
2.742
Goals against per 60 minutes of playing time. Quite a bit less than his offensive output. Hence his +11 number.
0.69
Domes per game. Meaning 7 times out of 10 he was one of the top two defenders on the ice for the Habs in his 69 GP. Few to none were disputed.
6.29
Goals created per 60 minutes of PP time.4th on the team last season (despite double shifting many PPs). Something we've missed this season.
23:20
Minutes of ice time per game. Another thing the team has missed this season.
Even though this team hasn't missed him as much as they might have in the past, his return can't be anything but a boost as he replaces Alexandre Picard at ES, SH and on the PP.
That said, the immediate period following his return might be one of flux as it often is when such major parts come in and out. Hopefully, Markov will find a way to ease in to providing all he can provide without disturbing the successes of players like Plekanec, Price and Kostitsyn.
Then again, as long as the winning continues, who cares if hurts the stats of players who've enjoyed his absence.
Whatever the case, by the time this weekend is through, the Canadiens will be a team led once again on offence by Andrei Markov.
In preparation, here's a look at some of his more impressive statistics from last season:
4.171
Goals per 60 minutes that Andrei Markov was on the ice for last season (top on the Habs)
This number included 3.442 GFON/60 at even strength, 10.383 GFON/60 on the PP, and 0.612 GFON/60 while shorthanded. The ES and PP numbers (the ones that really count) are also top two from the team last year
2.742
Goals against per 60 minutes of playing time. Quite a bit less than his offensive output. Hence his +11 number.
0.69
Domes per game. Meaning 7 times out of 10 he was one of the top two defenders on the ice for the Habs in his 69 GP. Few to none were disputed.
6.29
Goals created per 60 minutes of PP time.4th on the team last season (despite double shifting many PPs). Something we've missed this season.
23:20
Minutes of ice time per game. Another thing the team has missed this season.
Even though this team hasn't missed him as much as they might have in the past, his return can't be anything but a boost as he replaces Alexandre Picard at ES, SH and on the PP.
That said, the immediate period following his return might be one of flux as it often is when such major parts come in and out. Hopefully, Markov will find a way to ease in to providing all he can provide without disturbing the successes of players like Plekanec, Price and Kostitsyn.
Then again, as long as the winning continues, who cares if hurts the stats of players who've enjoyed his absence.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Markov's Return
How The Habs Must Shuffle
As I excitedly tweeted yesterday, Markov will be back. RDS and just about everyone else is saying it will be tonight vs. Streit and the might Islanders.
It could not come at a better time. With the Canadiens on the road, their struggle to return to winning will be met with less all around angst and ire than it might have in the confines of Centre Bell. Markov can adjust and find his legs in time to be the returning hero the baying mass expects by the New Year's return home.
In the face of this return, it is natural to get excited. Still, many issue caution, patience. Yet, the reluctance to pin too much hop on Markov's return, is in my opinion, taking things too far the other way.
Now I am not saying that Andrei will come in and eclipse the performance of every player from either team as he sometimes would in full health. However, let's remember what this means in practical terms: a healthy Markov returns to join the 5 other healthy D, bumping one of Bergeron, Gill or Mara to the kerb. Achilles tendon r not, that's an upgrade for this team. Achilles tendon or not, Markov's passes are still several orders of magnitude more accurate than any, which means standing still he's a massive improvement at 6th Dman.
As it's been so long, let's just remember who Markov is (as per the season preview):
Andrei Markov
Some things to note from Andrei's stats:
1) Offensive explosion
The last 3 years show the continued progression of Andrei Markov into the ranks of elite offensive defencemen. In fact, his 171 points over that span are second best in the NHL – lagging behind only Nicklas Lidstrom.
(Only Bergeron has come close in this department for the Habs, and off the PP, he's been less helpful. Barring passing amnesia, Markov's impact should be tangible)
2) Defensive steadiness
Not quite so elite in preventing goals, and perhaps the reason he never gets a Norris nod. Andrei's plus/minus is virtually neutral. As mentioned, most of his points do tend to come when he has been running the best PP in the league, so those ones don't appear in the black ledger. Even so, it might be nice to see Andrei escape the mediocrity of all those GA at ES and put up a big juicy +/- like that guy ahead of him in the points race.
(As I said, better than the guy who sits, so a positive contribution in the less minuses end of things too)
3) Takeaways, not hits
Those takeaway numbers may not mean anything to you, but you should know that they are very high. Last season, Markov was third in the league for Dmen in takeaways, as he was the year before. Three seasons ago, he was the best defender in that regard. This is because Markov prefers the poke check to the body check – and when you consider his partner, he makes a good case for the more subtle form of defence.
(My goodness how we've missed this. Maybe not tonight, but some time in the next couple of weeks you'll all be reminded of how a team really prevents itself getting pinned down for minutes at a time)
Who should Markov play with?
Those of you who can remember the preseason through all the tears that have transpired, will recall that I tried to rationally look at lines and pairings in an ideal, injury-free lineup. The way I did this was to trawl some data that many individuals collect and put on the internet and do some sums.
Basically, on last year's data I was able to broadly see whether a player made his partner better or worse offensively and defensively. I was also able to see what kind of partner (style) each player seamed to thrive with, or seemed to struggle with.
At that time, I selected Spacek for a number of reasons. Firstly, Markov played better with players who skated than with big lumbering men (including his usual partner). What seemed to let him be at his best is actually playing with a player more like himself, who can dart around and make a good quick pass – covering more ice with movement as opposed to mass. That for me ruled out O'Byrne and Gill right away, and based on the stats from when they played together, Hamrlik too.
I can see from the message boards that Martin might be considering Ryan O'Byrne to start with Markov this evening. I think this would be a mistake based on the above.
I wouldn't be so haughty if Jacques himself had not come to the Spacek conclusion himself. But that was his evaluation in October, as they started the season together and played most of the preseason together too.
The worry I suppose from some is that Markov and Spacek together means breaking up the current number one pairing of Hamrlik and Spacek. However, these two, while consistent aren't blowing anyone away, as they clock about 2.4 GA/60 - which also happens to be the team average on what I think we'd all agree has been an underwhelming defensive outfit so far. Breaking this combo up, therefore, should not be something to lament. it would be progress for the team, and progress hopefully for Spacek.
Incidentally, Hamrlik is not like Markov. He likes playing with a big guy. What's more, he's been excellent all along with O'Byrne - this season and last (ES and PK). If O'Byrne is to be deployed with a top pairing, it surely must be with Hamrlik.
Luxury goods
Markov's comeback has more implications for the team than simply first pairing conundrums. It also brings about a potential log-jam of 8 defencemen on the team. One question is who might sit out. Another, considering it possible that 7 or even 8 Dmen could be dressed per game, is how many luxury items can the Canadiens afford to carry?
We already carry a fighter we don't use (or need), forwards who are doing apprenticeships in lifting the puck, and two young goalies still learning the ropes. When it comes to winning games, we are starting to run out of place for functional parts to fill the roles. Can we thus afford to play a defender whose only use is on the penalty kill and another whose only use is on the PP?
Or, should we be looking to better exploit the all-round ability of 4 or 5 of the other options?
We've all been complaining about this injury so long, it's time for the team to give us the proper ammo we need to back up those arguments on single player value. Let's hope it's a good one tonight.
Allez, Allez. Go Habs Go.
It could not come at a better time. With the Canadiens on the road, their struggle to return to winning will be met with less all around angst and ire than it might have in the confines of Centre Bell. Markov can adjust and find his legs in time to be the returning hero the baying mass expects by the New Year's return home.
In the face of this return, it is natural to get excited. Still, many issue caution, patience. Yet, the reluctance to pin too much hop on Markov's return, is in my opinion, taking things too far the other way.
Now I am not saying that Andrei will come in and eclipse the performance of every player from either team as he sometimes would in full health. However, let's remember what this means in practical terms: a healthy Markov returns to join the 5 other healthy D, bumping one of Bergeron, Gill or Mara to the kerb. Achilles tendon r not, that's an upgrade for this team. Achilles tendon or not, Markov's passes are still several orders of magnitude more accurate than any, which means standing still he's a massive improvement at 6th Dman.
As it's been so long, let's just remember who Markov is (as per the season preview):
Andrei Markov
| NHL Season | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | Hits/60 | BkS/60 | GvA/60 | TkA/60 | Gv:Tk | PIM |
| 08-09 (MTL) | 78 | 12 | 52 | 64 | -2 | 1.91 | 3.47 | 3.21 | 1.87 | -1.34 | 36 |
| 07-08 (MTL) | 82 | 16 | 42 | 58 | +1 | 1.73 | 3.72 | 2.70 | 1.76 | -0.94 | 63 |
| 06-07 (MTL) | 77 | 6 | 43 | 49 | +2 | 1.21 | 3.79 | 2.77 | 2.39 | -0.38 | 56 |
| Even-strength profile | |
 |
|
Some things to note from Andrei's stats:
1) Offensive explosion
The last 3 years show the continued progression of Andrei Markov into the ranks of elite offensive defencemen. In fact, his 171 points over that span are second best in the NHL – lagging behind only Nicklas Lidstrom.
(Only Bergeron has come close in this department for the Habs, and off the PP, he's been less helpful. Barring passing amnesia, Markov's impact should be tangible)
2) Defensive steadiness
Not quite so elite in preventing goals, and perhaps the reason he never gets a Norris nod. Andrei's plus/minus is virtually neutral. As mentioned, most of his points do tend to come when he has been running the best PP in the league, so those ones don't appear in the black ledger. Even so, it might be nice to see Andrei escape the mediocrity of all those GA at ES and put up a big juicy +/- like that guy ahead of him in the points race.
(As I said, better than the guy who sits, so a positive contribution in the less minuses end of things too)
3) Takeaways, not hits
Those takeaway numbers may not mean anything to you, but you should know that they are very high. Last season, Markov was third in the league for Dmen in takeaways, as he was the year before. Three seasons ago, he was the best defender in that regard. This is because Markov prefers the poke check to the body check – and when you consider his partner, he makes a good case for the more subtle form of defence.
(My goodness how we've missed this. Maybe not tonight, but some time in the next couple of weeks you'll all be reminded of how a team really prevents itself getting pinned down for minutes at a time)
Who should Markov play with?
Those of you who can remember the preseason through all the tears that have transpired, will recall that I tried to rationally look at lines and pairings in an ideal, injury-free lineup. The way I did this was to trawl some data that many individuals collect and put on the internet and do some sums.
Basically, on last year's data I was able to broadly see whether a player made his partner better or worse offensively and defensively. I was also able to see what kind of partner (style) each player seamed to thrive with, or seemed to struggle with.
| Pairing #1 | Effect O/D | |
| D – Andrei Markov |  |
|
| D – Jaroslav Spacek |  |
|
At that time, I selected Spacek for a number of reasons. Firstly, Markov played better with players who skated than with big lumbering men (including his usual partner). What seemed to let him be at his best is actually playing with a player more like himself, who can dart around and make a good quick pass – covering more ice with movement as opposed to mass. That for me ruled out O'Byrne and Gill right away, and based on the stats from when they played together, Hamrlik too.
I can see from the message boards that Martin might be considering Ryan O'Byrne to start with Markov this evening. I think this would be a mistake based on the above.
I wouldn't be so haughty if Jacques himself had not come to the Spacek conclusion himself. But that was his evaluation in October, as they started the season together and played most of the preseason together too.
The worry I suppose from some is that Markov and Spacek together means breaking up the current number one pairing of Hamrlik and Spacek. However, these two, while consistent aren't blowing anyone away, as they clock about 2.4 GA/60 - which also happens to be the team average on what I think we'd all agree has been an underwhelming defensive outfit so far. Breaking this combo up, therefore, should not be something to lament. it would be progress for the team, and progress hopefully for Spacek.
Incidentally, Hamrlik is not like Markov. He likes playing with a big guy. What's more, he's been excellent all along with O'Byrne - this season and last (ES and PK). If O'Byrne is to be deployed with a top pairing, it surely must be with Hamrlik.
Luxury goods
Markov's comeback has more implications for the team than simply first pairing conundrums. It also brings about a potential log-jam of 8 defencemen on the team. One question is who might sit out. Another, considering it possible that 7 or even 8 Dmen could be dressed per game, is how many luxury items can the Canadiens afford to carry?
We already carry a fighter we don't use (or need), forwards who are doing apprenticeships in lifting the puck, and two young goalies still learning the ropes. When it comes to winning games, we are starting to run out of place for functional parts to fill the roles. Can we thus afford to play a defender whose only use is on the penalty kill and another whose only use is on the PP?
Or, should we be looking to better exploit the all-round ability of 4 or 5 of the other options?
We've all been complaining about this injury so long, it's time for the team to give us the proper ammo we need to back up those arguments on single player value. Let's hope it's a good one tonight.
Allez, Allez. Go Habs Go.
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