Andrei Markov has reportedly signed a three-year contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens in a deal that mirrors the $17.25 million agreement he signed prior to the 2011 season.
Because who wouldn't enjoy the current figure on his bank book, the Russian defenseman will continue to earn the identical $5.75 million annual salary he's enjoyed over the last three seasons, according to Marc Antoine Godin of La Presse.
The Canadiens will pay the 13-year veteran a significant portion of their payroll until the age of 38 on a deal likely designed to keep the Russian blue liner in a Habs uniform for his entire career.
It was expected that his previous deal would be his last, but Markov played his way into another lucrative contract with back-to-back seasons of solid two-way hockey.
General manager Marc Bergevin remains tasked with fitting restricted free agent defenseman P.K. Subban and his lofty expectations under the cap.