Former NHL vet Andrei Markov hires agent while eyeing return

Former NHL defenseman Andrei Markov has hired agent Allan Walsh in his pursuit of making a return to the league this season.

"He's been intensively training in Florida this summer and is determined to play in the NHL this season," Walsh wrote Wednesday on Twitter.

Markov, a 16-year NHL veteran, spent his entire career with the Montreal Canadiens and expressed his desire to return to the club on a one-year contract last month. He last played in the league during the 2016-17 season, recording six goals and 36 assists over 62 games.

Markov ranks sixth in Canadiens history in both games played (990) and assists (453). He recorded 572 total points.

The 40-year-old has spent the last two seasons playing for the KHL's Kazan Ak-Bars and helped the club capture the Gagarin Cup in 2017-18.