Has team been marking Markov?

WILMINGTON - Veteran defenseman Danny Markov remains for hire, and the runaway rumor mill that is the Internet continues to identify Boston as a potential landing spot.

Markov's agent, Jay Grossman, yesterday would neither confirm nor deny that the Bruins are among the clubs courting his client. However, he earmarked an asking price of some $3 million a year for the well-traveled blue liner, and that price tag would be difficult for Boston to take on with the club's cap figure already very close to the $50.3 million max.

"I don't want to talk in specifics, relating to any team," said Grossman, reached via telephone late in the afternoon in Florida, where his client continues to train. "Several of the teams we are talking to - and the list has expanded - would have to make cap space available somehow."

Meanwhile, the Bruins, better on defense than many expected, could use a player with Markov's skills. He plays aggressively, often eyeing the big hit, and at age 31, is still considered a plus skater. With the Bruins, he would be considered a top-pair defenseman, which would easily justify his asking price. First, though, Boston would have to move nearly an equal amount of money, and with so few moving parts, that's not likely.

"He's versatile. He can play the skill game," said Grossman. "He played the first unit on the [2002] Russian Olympic team. He can play the power play. With Detroit last year, he played primarily a defensive role, and he has the huge physical component to his game."

Grossman said he expects Markov, who earned $2.5 million last season with the Red Wings, to sign a deal "relatively soon." When asked to sharpen the timeline, the agent said something likely would be finalized within the next couple of days.

Few saves for Kessel

Second-year forward Phil Kessel has 5 points this season, 4 of them logged in Los Angeles on a 3-1 -4 night that included his first career hat trick.

No plans, said Kessel, to memorialize the event.

"I didn't keep the pucks or anything," said Kessel. "I've just never done that. Maybe someone else picked up [the puck from the third goal], but I know I didn't."

Truth is, said Kessel, he hasn't been one to save mementos since he broke into the NHL last season.

"I have my kids trophies, you know, from when I was young," he said. "But I haven't kept anything for a while now. I've got an Under-18 [Team USA] gold medal that I kept, but that's about all."

For now, coach Claude Julien plans to keep Kessel, a center for virtually all of his amateur career, parked on right wing, where the 20-year-old can best use his trademark burner speed.

Tomorrow night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, he'll likely line up on a trio centered by rookie David Krejci, with freshman Milan Lucic on the left side.

"I think maybe I use [the speed] a little less on the wing," said Kessel. "Playing wing is different than center because you're standing still a little more, and the whole defensive responsibility of being a center is more."

All in all, said Kessel, life as a winger is OK.

"I'm getting used to it," he said. "I like it, but, obviously, I don't like it better than center."

Tackling blocking

Andrew Alberts, partnered most of the time with Andrew Ference in the "Two 'Drews" pair, has blocked 16 shots this season.

As of yesterday, that ranked him tied for sixth in the league. Once again, Ottawa's Anton Volchenkov leads the way, with 39 blocks.

"I've tried to be more aware of shots as they come in," said Alberts. "See more shots and get more in the shooting lanes.

"Last year, I watched what Z [Zdeno Chara] and Aaron Ward were doing out there - and they're both very good at it. Before, I was maybe standing out there, and whatever hit me hit me. Now I try to throw whatever body part I can at the puck."

Connecting at dot

One of the squad's weaknesses has been at the faceoff dot. Of the four regular centers, journeyman Glen Metropolit (43.9 percent) has been best, with Marc Savard (40.9) at the low end. Sandwiched between them: Patrice Bergeron (42.6) and Krejci (41.1).

According to Julien, the pivots have to be better, but they also need their wingers to jump in with some support. "As a team, we have to get better," he said. "Everyone's got to be alert and jump on top of loose pucks."

Marchand signed

Late in the day, the Bruins announced the signing of left winger Brad Marchand, whom they picked 71st overall in the 2006 draft. Marchand spent two weeks in training camp before he was reassigned to his Val-d'Or Foreurs junior club. Since being sent back, the 19-year-old Marchand has gone 1-6 -7 in 10 games . . . The Bruins are slated to take on the Rangers Saturday night at 7 on Causeway Street. General manager Peter Chiarelli did not respond to an e-mail asking if the start time might be moved up if the Red Sox were to play a Game 6 of the American League Championship Series at roughly the same time at Fenway Park. Traditionally, the Bruins have opted not to be in competition with the Back Bay behemoth. NESN ratings, already challenged, would be traceable only by microscope if forced to compete with the Sox on Fox.