Photo: NHL.com
According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the Montreal Canadiens placed defenseman Karl Alzner on waivers on Tuesday for purposes of buying out the final two seasons on his five-year contract, which carried a $4.5 million cap hit. He will become an unrestricted free agent on Friday.
Karl Alzner (Montreal) on buyout waivers today
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 6, 2020
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAfter not missing a regular-season game for eight seasons (2011-18), the 32-year-old has played just 13 NHL games over the past two seasons. When he has been with the NHL club, he has been a healthy scratch most of the time.
In 87 AHL games with the Laval Rocket over the past two seasons, Alzner has posted two goals, 19 points, and a +6 rating. Alzner appeared in just four NHL games this past year.
The buyout will cost the Canadiens $3,958,333 against the salary cap this year, $1,958,333 in 2021-22, and $833,333 in each of the next two seasons.
Alzner has 2 years left on $4.625M Cap Hit Deal w/ $6.5M salary remaining. Buyout breakdown:
Year 1: $3.96M Cap Hit ($667K Savings)
Year 2: $1.96M Cap Hit ($2.67M Savings)
Year 3/4: $833K Cap Hit/CostNote: Burying in minors this year would save $1.075Mhttps://t.co/C8LnYsMZKh https://t.co/Sp3WloP3xz pic.twitter.com/WjTnStbDgQ
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) October 6, 2020
Alzner was selected fifth overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2007 NHL Draft and recorded 19 goals, 117 points, and a +61 rating in 591 games with the team. His best season with the Capitals came in 2014-15, when he recorded a career-high five goals, matched a career-high 21 points, and posted a +14 rating in 82 games.
Statement from Karl Alzner @Sportsnet #gohabsgo pic.twitter.com/Qv4wBX2RN2
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) October 6, 2020
Unfortunately, the change of playing style in the NHL has pushed Alzner out as he is much more of a shot-blocking defenseman than a mobile, puck-mover, which doesn’t check the boxes for what most teams are looking for.
By Harrison Brown
What a good player for the Caps but a terrible signing for Bergeven and the Habs. Good luck to him and his family in the future though, seems like a sweet guy.
Was an average player with the Caps who was made better by the surrounding cast. Yes a very bad signing for Montreal. He was a nice guy but just couldnt perform in a different system. Good luck in the future.
Alzner had been a decent defensive defenseman. But he would play through just about anything and not take time off. His hand was probably broken enough times that his wife had to open jars for him at home.
I think he set a franchise record for most consecutive games played?
Since Carlson who also had a consecutive game streak, had his ended due to injury.