Rugged defenseman adds toughness, size to Preds' blue line

By JOHN GLENNON

In many ways, the Predators' two biggest offseason acquisitions couldn't be more unlike one another.

Paul Kariya is small, skilled and elusive. Danny Markov is rough, tough and in your face. 

Paul Kariya is a fitness freak. Danny Markov sneaks the occasional cigarette.

Paul Kariya twice won the NHL's sportsmanship award. Danny Markov sports a lot of scars.

Despite the differences, both men are likely to play huge roles for the Predators this season.

While the impact of Kariya, a seven-time all-star, on Nashville's offense should be significant, Markov's presence may well have an equal effect on the Predators' blueline.

On a team full of slick-skating, skilled defensemen like Kimmo Timonen, Marek Zidlicky and Dan Hamhuis, Markov will serve as the sandpaper — the player most likely to throw his body in front of a power-play slapshot, battle power forwards in front of the net and generally make life unbearable for opponents' top lines.

"The one term that comes to mind for Danny Markov is 'ultimate warrior,' '' said former ESPN hockey analyst Bill Clement. "Nobody plays the game harder than him, and I mean nobody.

"Everybody wants to have that reputation of being difficult to play against. That's what Danny Markov is. He's a real pain in the butt.''

The 29-year-old Markov breaks at least one NHL stereotype: the one that says North American players are more likely to be tough and Europeans more likely to be soft.

That belief is based at least in part on the fact many Europeans grow up playing on larger ice surfaces, where puck skills are considered far more important than the ability to knock an opponent through the boards.

But Markov, a Russian, recalled seeking out contact from an early age.

"If I remember, I always like it — I don't know why,'' Markov said. "This is the game of hockey. It's a physical game.''

Since coming into the league during the 1997-98 season, Markov has built a reputation for toughness.

Predators forward Steve Sullivan recalled shaking his head at some of the sacrifices Markov was willing to make when the two played together in Toronto.

"His body is second to winning, no questions asked, because he does whatever it takes,'' Sullivan said. "He's one of those guys who reacts first and thinks later. There's never a night off with that man.''

In his second NHL stop, Phoenix, Markov drew the praise of none other than forward Claude Lemieux, quite the nasty customer himself.

"If we had 20 more guys like that,'' Lemieux once said of Markov, "we'd win 90 percent of our games. He's one of the toughest guys I've ever played with.''

And in helping Philadelphia reach the Eastern Conference finals in 2003-04, the 6-foot-1,
190-pound Markov proved a perfect fit on one of the biggest, baddest teams in the league. The Flyers eventually traded Markov to the Predators because of salary-cap concerns.

"He may not be huge in stature, but he's got a huge heart,'' Flyers forward Keith Primeau said. "He's an extremely competitive guy, loves to make contact and loves to be physical. He's a guy that will almost always play the last few minutes of a game — whether you're up a goal or down a goal.''

As Primeau indicated, Markov's game is by no means one-dimensional. He's compiled a respectable 120 points (25 goals, 95 assists) in 414 NHL games, tying his career-best with six goals in 2003-04.

"I think people probably sell him a little short on that end of the ice,'' Predators Coach Barry Trotz said. "He's got good skills and he likes to jump up in the play. I could certainly see him on a second power-play unit.''

Markov should also supply some spark to what at times has been a very vanilla Predators locker room.

He's been known to play his share of practical jokes on teammates when times are good, break a stick or two when he's frustrated.

Over the summer, he blasted the NHL Players' Association for making too many concessions during negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement.

"Yeah, I would say I'm emotional, very emotional,'' Markov said. "I get mad very fast, but at the same time, I calm down fast. The more I'm in the league, the more I try to control myself.''

Markov said he's looking forward to the upcoming season in Nashville. He expects to play key minutes against top offensive lines, serve as a penalty-killing specialist and continue to pattern his game after recently retired New Jersey defenseman Scott Stevens.

"Probably my favorite NHL player,'' Markov said of the bruising ex-Devil.

"I really like the way he plays. Tough. Very tough.''