Andrei Markov caused a bit of stir when TVA reported Thursday that he may not return to the NHL once the lockout was settled. He called the decision to return or stay with KHL club Vityaz Chekhov a "difficult question." In a video interview for a Russian sports outlet, Markov said "I can't say right now anything if I'm staying or going back to the NHL, but we'll see. When the time comes, then I'll make a decision." His agent, Don Meehan, attempted to put out the fire by telling Richard Labbe of La Presse that Markov would return to North America when a new CBA is finalized and that rumors of him staying in Russia are false.