On a recent episode of The Sick Podcast, Grant McCagg joined host Tony Marinaro wherein the two agreed that the former Habs’ blueliner was unfit to be the new assistant coach
Yesterday, former Montreal Canadiens’ scout Grant McCagg joined host of the Sick Podcast Tony Marinaro and discussed the likelihood of Andrei Markov joining Martin St-Louis' staff as the Habs’ new assistant coach. The two were against the proposition.
Among the reasons why Markov should not join the coaching staff were that he is a very quiet person, and that his lack of vocality does not translate in a position where you are constantly providing insight. During his captaincy tenure with the Tricolore, Markov was a quiet, lead-by-example veteran.
McCagg provided the example of Maurice Richard coaching one game for the Quebec Nordiques, wherein the Rocket could not teach the players his heart or passion for the game. The same goes for Markov. Whereas he was an incredibly intelligent player on the ice, you can’t teach those same instincts as a coach.
Another argument brought up was that Markov hasn’t paid his dues behind the bench. Whereas current Habs’ skipper Martin St. Louis worked as a special teams consultant with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Markov has a virtually non-existent resume, with two stints with Vityaz and Spartak in the KHL that lasted for a brief time. According to McCagg, the defenseman needs more experience before he is considered for a job in North America.
In a recent article discussing the possibility of the Canadiens not bringing in an assistant coach, longtime NHL defenseman Philippe Boucher stated that the Habs would need to hire a highly experienced coach who doesn’t pose a threat to St Louis’ employment. Unfortunately, Markov does not have that level of track record.
That being said, Markov could provide strong insight and build relationships with the Russian prospects in the Canadiens’ system. Namely the budding phenom Ivan Demidov who is slated to spend a season with SKA St Petersburg before flying to La Belle Province.
It would be a nice story, after not being resigned before the season that he would play his 1000th game, a return to the city who did not grant him the honor of reaching the milestone would be a poetic mending of bridges between the organization and the longtime blueliner. What do you as fans think of the prospect of him taking up a position behind the bench? Does Markov lend an aspect that no other candidate could?
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