It’s been a brutal 17 months for Montreal Canadiens defenseman Karl Alzner. Well, the first few months after Alzner signed a five-year, $23.125MM contract on July 1st, 2017 were probably okay. Once he actually took the ice with the Habs last season though, it was all downhill. Alzner had capitalized on a weak free agent market – one in which even we here at PHR considered him the third best name – which had inflated his value far beyond what it should have been. Alzner was a solid defenseman for many years for the Washington Capitals, consistently healthy and capable of eating significant minutes. However, he lacked much in the way of offense and in retrospect his defensive abilities were amplified by the copious talent around him on the eventual Stanley Cup champions. Transitioning to a weaker roster in Montreal, Alzner was exposed when asked to play a key role on the Habs’ blue line. Carrying the puck more often, Alzer became a turnover machine. Facing tougher assignments, he was far less effective on defense and took a career high in penalties. And per usual, he contributed just twelve points and was a non-factor on offense.
Entering this season, Alzner and Canadiens fans alike hoped that he could turn it around and return to the shutdown player they felt they had signed for top dollar. However, the organization and coaching staff had other plans. Alzner was a healthy scratch in season opener and to date has only played in eight games with a major drop-off in ice time. Alzner was placed on waivers and subsequently cleared earlier this week and it was fair to wonder whether he had played his last game in Montreal just over a season into his five-year deal. That became much more probable yesterday, when the Canadiens gave Alzner and his agent permission to seek a trade.
Yet, permission to seek a trade is not the same as having concrete interest and willing suitors. Although the Habs have little reason not to accept any deal brought to them – barring an unreasonable amount of retained salary requested – that is just one side of a trade which obviously needs multiple teams. But is there even a market for Alzner? Two years ago, there was ample interest in him on the free agent market, but after a year in which he was exposed as having a game dependent on the talent of the players around him, he’s no longer the prize he once was. Then there’s also the matter of his contract, a relative albatross of four more years at $4.65MM. His stock is the lowest it has ever been, while his price is at it’s highest. That’s a tough combination to sell to a team. Alzner went untouched on waivers, meaning any team interested in acquiring him would also expect the Canadiens to retain some salary or otherwise add another piece to the deal.
Clearly, Alzner is not a player that can do much to help a rebuilding team. His cost also makes him a difficult addition for any team close to the salary cap ceiling. This leaves a narrow group of potential suitors who have talented rosters but are in comfortable salary cap shape and have a long-term need for a defensive blue liner. Any come to mind? It’s not a common occurrence, at least not currently. The Toronto Maple Leafs, although dealing with the William Nylander saga and long-term salary cap planning as is, would make some sense. The team is likely to lose Ron Hainsey and Jake Gardiner to free agency this summer and could use a long-term physical presence on the blue line at the right price. Their preference would certainly be to add a right-handed defenseman, but might not be picky if they feel Alzner would excel in their system. Barry Trotz’ new uber-conservative New York Islanders could also be a fit for Alzner, as they could stand to upgrade their blue line depth and have the existing talent to ease Alzner into his natural stay-at-home role. Alzner would seem to be a perfect fit for the Isles’ current system that emphasizes physicality and patient pace. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild have fallen short of the ultimate goal despite strong recent campaigns and have the cap space to add a luxury piece like Alzner, who would be a bottom-pair defender for either team, albeit a needed depth addition. Finally, there are the Chicago Blackhawks who, despite shedding salary this summer, refrained from using their newfound cap space. Chicago had interest in Alzner when he was a free agent in 2017, considered by many the favorite to land the physical defender. The team could still use more talent and especially more shutdown play on the back end. However, with one of hockey’s worst contracts in Brent Seabrook already on the roster, could they really risk adding a similarly disappointing and overpaid defenseman in Alzner?
Those are just five teams who could potentially have interest in Alzner. There could be more, if some teams feel that Alzner’s play in Montreal has been a misrepresentation of his ability. Yet, there also could easily be less, as Alzner has done nothing in the past year plus to prove that he is anything more than a replacement level checking defenseman. Given his contract status, Alzner may find it difficult to match up with a new team and put together a successful trade out of Montreal. It is certainly a possibility, but the only team Alzner is likely going to be playing for in the near future is the AHL’s Laval Rocket.
Doc Halladay
David Pagnotta reported earlier today that 5 or 6 teams have apparently already expressed interest in Alzner. He cited a belief among teams that Alzner simply didn’t fit the Habs system. Whether that’s true or not is up for debate. However, I will say that at least part of his issues last year stemmed from being paired with Jeff Petry, who has a tendency to put his D partners in tough situations with ill-advised passes and panic plays. When Alzner was paired with Noah Juulsen, his play was fine for the most part(still had turnover issues though).
I doubt Montreal would have any issue in retaining 50% of his cap hit in order to move him. That’s a far better option than simply buying him out, especially since he has a “buyout proof” salary structure(year 2 of a buyout would have a $4+ million cap hit).
If teams do have interest, I think a deal could get done rather quick. Probably something along the lines of Alzner(50% retained) for short term, higher salary cap dump + pick(4th or 5th). Maybe a small sweetener goes with Alzner.
tim2686
I know the Hawks need defense, but they have enough bad contracts. I would rather they trade for Hjalmersson then pick up this guy.
ericl
Alzner had tough defensive assignments when he played with the Caps & played well. He played particularly well when paired with John Carlson. That was a good pairing because Carlson would carry the puck into the zone. Alzner has never been an offensive defenseman. He’s still a serviceable defense and can help some teams. If his contract was half of what it is, there would be quite a few teams interested in Alzner. That’s what limits his market. Montreal will have to either eat some of his salary or take a contract back
User 163535993
Keep the POS out of Chicago.
SuperSinker
I hope a trade gets done. Because unless he is traded I don’t see how he plays another game in the NHL
BayStateRings
What a classless thing to do to this guy, signing Alzner to that ridiculous contract while seemingly having had NO INTENTION of letting him see at least HALF THE YEARS out with the team. Then again, it’s the montreal crabs, so being classless is kind of their thing. Just ask their #1 loverboy, thepriceisright.
masher
What an all around stupid comment. I’m sure when they signed him, they had “no intention” of him playing out the term. This isn’t baseball, a 4+ million a year contract is a major commitment and he just plain hasn’t performed. What should they do, continue to turn the puck over and take minutes from young talent? Get outta here.