Report: Markov yet to seek offers from teams other than Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens made it official Thursday - Andrei Markov will not return for the 2017-18 season.

The news came as the veteran of 990 career games - all with the Canadiens - appeared to be holding out hope for a return to the club, as he'd yet to seek out offers from other teams as of Wednesday, sources told Sportsnet's Eric Engels.

In late June it was reported that Markov was seeking a two-year, $12-million contract, but Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin made it clear the player would have to take less when he said it would be impossible to sign both Markov and then-UFA Alexander Radulov at their demands.

This offseason, the Canadiens have inked defensemen Mark Streit, Karl Alzner, David Schlemko, and Joe Morrow. In all, Montreal has eight defenseman locked up, meaning they might not have had the roster spot for Markov regardless of cap space.

The 38-year-old concludes his time with the Canadiens having played the second-most games among Canadiens defensemen, while ranking second in assists and tied for second in points with 453 and 572, respectively.