Montreal Canadiens Andrei Markov comes off the bench to play against the Florida Panthers during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal, October 30, 2010. REUTERS/Christinne MuschiCHRISTINNE MUSCHI/Reuters
It's been almost exactly a year since Andrei Markov's surgically-repaired knee buckled as he came together with Carolina's Eric Staal in what seemed like a nothing collision.
It wasn't of course.
It will be a while yet before he comes back to the lineup, Montreal Canadiens coach Jacques Martin said it's "out of the question" that Markov will play in October.
But the news isn't all bad.
The Russian, who re-signed for three years at $5.75-million this summer, has been at the Florida clinic run by his knee surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, for the past week.
He met Andrews on Monday, and will stay there for another week of gym workouts, he is scheduled for another assessment on Monday.
"Everything is fine, he's continuing his rehabilitation . . . he just needs to build the strength in his leg," said Martin.
The Habs say they aren't being especially conservative with Markov's rehab program - which stalled at the beginning of training camp because of swelling in his twice-rebuilt knee - and that they are simply following Andrews' advice.
That won't do anything to soothe frayed nerves in Habsnation, although a win against Buffalo on Tuesday might.