Andrei Markov skating, expected in November

According to Kevin Mio of Habs Inside/Out, Andrei Markov has began skating. This news seems optimistic as the defenseman has been projected to return in November, a month or more into the season. When drafting Markov keep in mind you would be paying for about 5/6ths of the season and a question mark even upon his return. Knee injuries could be balky at any moment and set him back even further.

Drafting a guy already expected to miss time can be very risky. Regardless of Markov’s near elite talent there could be much safer options out there. As of this writing Markov carries an O-Rank of 99.