Markov hopes to play in 2018 Olympics

Andrei Markov hasn't been asked to play in the Olympics, but it doesn't sound like it would take long for him to accept an invite.

"If I'm going to play well and everything, (if) I'm going to deserve to be part of the Russian team in the Olympics, I will be happy. But it's not my decision," Markov said on a conference call Thursday. "All I can do (is) just play my game, do my best, and hopefully I'm going to be there."

While NHLers won't compete in Pyeongchang, the same condition doesn't apply to those in the KHL, leaving open the possibility Markov could appear in his fourth Winter Games. On Thursday, the 38-year-old signed with the KHL's Ak Bars Kazan, effectively ending his 16-season run as a mainstay on the Montreal Canadiens' blue line.

Should Markov play for Team Russia, he could be joined by fellow KHLers and former NHL talents in Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk, and Valeri Nichushkin, among others.

"It's something special, and it's too bad that NHL (is) not going there, NHL players not going there," Markov added. "Everybody understands it's a business and whatever decision NHL made, it's their decision. But for the athletes, it's a great experience, it's a great feeling, and to represent your country in such a big tournament, it's huge and it's something special."

Markov has suited up for the past three Olympic tournaments, with his best finish coming in 2006, when Russia placed fourth. The Russians haven't medaled at the Olympics since capturing the bronze in 2002.

In 62 games with the Canadiens last season, Markov netted six goals and 30 assists. Over his career, he skated in 990 contests with Montreal, trailing only Larry Robinson in games played by a Canadiens defenseman.