Hockey News - Former Montreal defenceman Markov signs with Russian club

Montreal Canadiens' Andrei Markov, of Russia, avoids the defense of Tampa Bay Lightning's Braydon Coburn, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 31, 2016 in Tampa, Fla. Markov has signed with Russian club Ak Bars Kazan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Mike Carlson

FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2017, file photo, Montreal Canadiens' Andrei Markov moves the puck during an NHL hockey game in Philadelphia. Longtime Montreal Canadiens defenseman Markov has signed with the Russian Kontinental Hockey League club Ak Bars Kazan, it was reported on Monday, July 31, 2017. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek, File)

MOSCOW — Longtime Montreal Canadiens defenceman Andrei Markov has signed with Russian club Ak Bars Kazan.

Ak Bars says the 38-year-old Markov has signed a two-year contract to play in the Kontinental Hockey League, a week after Montreal said it would not keep the defenceman for a 17th NHL season. No salary details were given.

The move means Markov could end playing at the Olympics in February.

Russia is expected to be the favourite for an Olympic tournament without NHL players. It should have Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk in its team, while Canada and the United States plan to have rosters made up of professionals playing in Europe and on college and major junior teams.