Head coach Jacques Martin denied a newspaper report on Tuesday that defenceman Andrei Markov was offered the Montreal Canadiens' captaincy.
The Montreal Gazette reported earlier in the day that Markov was approached by the team to take the role, but he turned it down. Martin added that he and general manager Bob Gainey will select the captain at the end of training camp.
The eight-year NHL veteran, who was an alternate captain last season, recorded 12 goals and 52 assists in 78 games for the Canadiens. Those 64 points were the second highest on the team.
The Canadiens have added seven new faces to their roster, including Scott Gomez, Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta after losing much of their former core group of players, including former alternate captains Alex Kovalev, Christopher Higgins and Mike Komisarek.
Koivu was the second-longest serving captain in the franchise's 100-year history, behind only the legendary Jean Beliveau.
