Music: {allcanada} Markov's return delayed, minor knee surgery needed

Saturday, December 3, 2011

{allcanada} Markov's return delayed, minor knee surgery needed

LOS ANGELES - Montreal defenseman Andrei Markov will undergo a minor surgery on his knee and will miss about three weeks, Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier said Saturday before a game against Los Angeles.

"Markov's knee is almost at full strength," Gauthier said. "He's undergoing arthroscopic surgery to clean up debris."

Markov had been cleared for contact weeks ago and there was speculation that he might return this week during the team's California trip. Markov has not played in more than a year because of knee surgery and has played only 52 regular season games the past two seasons.