
Karl Alzner
36-Year-Old
Free Agent
2024 Stats
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2025 Projections

Will be bought out
The Canadiens will place Alzner on unconditional waivers Tuesday for the purpose of buying out the final two-years of his contract, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
The Canadiens will only save $666,667 toward the cap in 2020-21 and $2.66 million toward the cap in 2021-22 by making this move before being on the hook for $833,333 for the following two seasons, but Alzner has only appeared in 13 NHL contests over the past two campaigns, and he was likely never going to suit up for Montreal again, so the team evidently decided opening up a little bit of space with a buyout was a better option than continuing to bury the veteran blueliner in the minors. If Alzner wants to continue to play, he'll almost certainly have to accept a two-way deal with another team, but it also wouldn't be surprising to see him simply retire.
The Canadiens will only save $666,667 toward the cap in 2020-21 and $2.66 million toward the cap in 2021-22 by making this move before being on the hook for $833,333 for the following two seasons, but Alzner has only appeared in 13 NHL contests over the past two campaigns, and he was likely never going to suit up for Montreal again, so the team evidently decided opening up a little bit of space with a buyout was a better option than continuing to bury the veteran blueliner in the minors. If Alzner wants to continue to play, he'll almost certainly have to accept a two-way deal with another team, but it also wouldn't be surprising to see him simply retire.
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2024 NHL Game Log
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Alzner's first season in Montreal was nothing short of a disaster. His minus-7 was the worst in four seasons, and he wasn't nearly worth the five-year ($4.625 AAV) contract he signed prior to the season. Paired mostly with Jeff Petry, Alzner failed to develop chemistry with the mobile defender which forced Claude Julien back to the drawing board. With Petry filling in for the injured Shea Weber (knee) to start the season, Alzner stands to get minutes on the second pairing. That alignment spreads out the experienced blueliners with youngsters Victor Mete and Noah Juulsen. What will improvement mean for Alzner? We can't expect much more than his career-high 141 hits in 2017-18 or his 12 points -- not with this popgun offense. The only thing to hope for is improved plus-minus, which could come with the overhaul of the defensive coaching staff.
More Fantasy News

Opts out of 2019-20 season
Alzner has opted out of the Return to Play program, Frank Seravalli of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
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Demoted to minors on paper
Alzner was reassigned to AHL Laval on Monday in order to be eligible for the AHL playoffs and will be back with the Habs for Tuesday's clash with Vancouver, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
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Recalled by Canadiens
Alzner was recalled from AHL Laval on an emergency basis Friday.
ANALYSIS
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Headed for waivers
Alzner was designated for waivers by the Habs on Thursday for purpose of reassignment.
ANALYSIS
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Suiting up Monday
Alzner (groin) will play in Monday's home preseason game versus the Maple Leafs.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors

Bruins showing interest
The Bruins are showing interest in Alzner, Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston reports.
ANALYSIS
With Torey Krug leaving Boston this offseason, the team is looking for some depth on the blue line and the veteran Alzner would fit that need. The 32-year-old defenseman has spent most of the last two seasons with AHL Laval, recording just one assist in 13 NHL games combined since the start of the 2018-19 campaign. He'd be a cheap way to add some size and physicality; in his last full NHL season, Alzner racked up 144 blocked shots and 141 hits.
With Torey Krug leaving Boston this offseason, the team is looking for some depth on the blue line and the veteran Alzner would fit that need. The 32-year-old defenseman has spent most of the last two seasons with AHL Laval, recording just one assist in 13 NHL games combined since the start of the 2018-19 campaign. He'd be a cheap way to add some size and physicality; in his last full NHL season, Alzner racked up 144 blocked shots and 141 hits.