Photo: Sportsnet
Ex-Washington Capitals and current Montreal Canadiens defenseman Karl Alzner was placed on waivers on Monday afternoon, most likely for contract termination purposes.
Canadiens place Karl Alzner on waivers.
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The 30-year old defenseman has appeared in just eight games of 24 for the Canadiens this season after playing 622 consecutive regular season games, the 11th-longest in NHL history on Opening Night. He posted one assist and a plus-2 rating in those eight games.
Alzner had a dreadful season a year ago, posting a minus-7 rating after going three consecutive seasons with a rating of at least plus-14.
He played in consecutive 599 regular season and playoff games during his time in Washington, a franchise record, but was a healthy scratch in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs in favor of defenseman Nate Schmidt for a need of more speed to the lineup.
Alzner, the Capitals’ fifth overall pick in 2007, signed a five-year contract worth $22 million ($4.5 million AAV) with the Canadiens as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2017, and said that he “wants to win” as a reason for leaving the Capitals, though the team didn’t have any talks with his representatives about a contract extension.
In 681 career games with the Capitals and Canadiens, Alzner has posted 20 goals, 130 points, with a plus-56 rating, including 19 goals, 117 points, and a plus-61 rating in 591 games with the Capitals.
Since his contract will be terminated, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
By Harrison Brown
