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Top Karl Alzner News

  • Karl Alzner: 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.

    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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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Opts out of 2019-20 season

    Alzner has opted out of the Return to Play program, Frank Seravalli of TSN.ca reports.

    Alzner didn't log any points across four games with Montreal during the regular season, having spent the bulk of the campaign in the minors. The Canadiens will now have to do without the veteran defenseman when the 2019-20 season resumes, though he wasn't expected to see an important role with the restart.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: 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.

    Saturday's matchup with Ottawa was Alzner's first taste of NHL action since Jan. 10, 2019. With the 23-man roster limit lifted, Montreal could opt to keep the veteran defenseman in the NHL for the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign. Alzner has never been an offensive powerhouse, so fantasy owners shouldn't be expecting to see him on the scoresheet that often.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Recalled by Canadiens

    Alzner was recalled from AHL Laval on an emergency basis Friday.

    Alzner's recall is likely a move to ensure the Canadiens will have six defensemen for Saturday's game against the Senators. Fellow left-shot blueliners Victor Mete (lower body) and Xavier Ouellet (concussion) are sidelined, which could give Alzner the chance to make his first NHL appearance of 2019-20.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Headed for waivers

    Alzner was designated for waivers by the Habs on Thursday for purpose of reassignment.

    Alzner spent the bulk of the 2018-19 campaign in the minors with AHL Laval and it seems likely he will be back there again this year. The defender appeared in 682 games during his 11-year NHL career, in which he tallied 20 goals and 110 helpers. The 31-year-old was never an offensive force, but should provide some solid veteran leadership for the Rocket.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Suiting up Monday

    Alzner (groin) will play in Monday's home preseason game versus the Maple Leafs.

    Alzner has played in 682 NHL games, registering 130 points and 219 PIM, but his roster spot isn't guaranteed, as he played nine games with AHL Laval last season. The 30-year-old blueliner has three years remaining on his $4.625 million AAV contract, and he has just a few more preseason games to establish that he belongs with the big club.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Battling groin injury

    Alzner (groin) did not participate in Saturday's practice, Eric Engels of Sportsnet.ca reports.

    The veteran blueliner certainly was hoping for a better start to training camp. While the injury isn't believed to be serious, it remains to be seen whether or not Alzner will be fit enough to play in Monday's preseason opener. The 30-year-old appeared in just nine games with the Canadiens last season. It's likely Alzner will begin the 2019-20 season with AHL Laval.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Headed to Laval

    Alzner cleared waivers and was assigned to AHL Laval, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports.

    The move to assign Alzner comes mere days after the Canadiens acquired Christian Folin from Philadelphia. Alzner has bounced between the NHL and AHL this season, playing more games for Laval than he has for Montreal.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Placed on waivers

    The Canadiens designated Alzner for waivers Saturday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

    Alzner hasn't drawn into a game for the Canadiens since his recall Feb. 2, so the team will send the veteran blueliner back to the minor ranks for organizational depth. He should remain among the first names for recall should injuries arise along the blue line.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Promoted to top level

    Montreal recalled Alzner from AHL Laval on Saturday.

    The Canadiens needed to send Alzner to the minors Friday in order to make room for backup goaltender Michael McNiven on their roster, but now that Carey Price's suspension has come to an end, they're no longer in need of McNiven's services. Alzner will likely be a healthy scratch Saturday against the Devils.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Loaned to minor-league affiliate

    The Canadiens loaned Alzner to AHL Laval on Friday.

    Alzner has bounced back and forth between the big club and the minors this campaign, so this move doesn't come as a surprise. It's likely only a matter of time until the veteran blueliner is once again summoned by the Canadiens to serve as an emergency depth option.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Practicing with team

    Alzner returned to the Habs and was at Thursday's practice session, Arpon Basu of The Athletic reports.

    Alzner figures to be the emergency depth option for the Habs moving forward and could still find himself spending time in the minors down the stretch. The veteran blueliner has appeared in just nine games this season and is likely to fall short of the 10-point mark for the first time since 2012-13.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Back in minors

    Alzner was returned to AHL Laval on Thursday, TSN reports.

    Alzner will get the opportunity to log some additional minutes while the rest of the Habs are enjoying the All-Star break. The veteran blueliner has appeared in just one of Montreal's previous 13 contests and figures to serve primarily as a healthy scratch when up in the NHL the rest of the season.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Promoted from minors

    Alzner was recalled from AHL Laval on Thursday.

    Alzner will join the team for its trip to Columbus, though there is no guarantee he will slot into the lineup. If the defender does slot into the lineup, Brett Kulak or Jordie Benn figures to be the odd man out.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Loaned to Laval

    Alzner was sent down to AHL Laval following Montreal's 5-1 win over the Panthers on Tuesday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet.ca reports.

    The plan is for Alzner to suit up for AHL Laval on Wednesday before re-joining the Canadiens for their trip to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets. The veteran blueliner has become a non-factor in reality as well as in fantasy.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Active Thursday

    Alzner was in the active lineup Thursday and registered one shot along with one hit in a 4-1 loss to St. Louis.

    Coach Claude Julien wanted Alzner instead of the smaller Mike Reilly against the physical Blues. It marked the first time Alzner's played since he was recalled from AHL Laval in late December.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Back with the Habs

    Alzner was recalled from AHL Laval on Wednesday.

    Since being demoted, Alzner has a goal and an assist in 10 games with AHL Laval, but scoring should never be how we evaluate his game. Just getting regular ice time was the goal in sending him down. Consistent ice time should not be a problem at the NHL-level, however, considering David Schlemko recently landed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. The 30-year-old Alzner stands to get a healthy dose of game action in his return to Montreal. Even if he dresses in every game, Alzner's offensive limitations make him an extremely risky fantasy option.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Makes splash in AHL

    Alzner scored a goal, finished plus-2, and he was named the first star in his debut at AHL Laval on Wednesday.

    The 30-year-old Alzner was assigned to Laval on Tuesday after clearing NHL waivers. "I was shocked, honestly," Alzner told Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette about his goal after the game. "I don't typically get those ones off too well. They're kind of tough when they're coming right at you. But I was just lucky I got a hold of it and it found a spot. I don't know if the goalie was really expecting it to come high. That's kind of what I needed just to kind of settle me into the game. It's good to score a goal at any level." There are no immediate plans to bring Alzner back to Montreal.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Clears waivers

    Alzner reported to AHL Laval after clearing waivers Tuesday, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports.

    Alzner met the media with a smile ahead of his first game with the Rocket on Wednesday against Belleville. The 30-year-old defenseman isn't happy to be in the minors, but a salary of $6 million this season -- the highest-paid player in the AHL -- makes it easier to put a smile on his face. His goal is to get back to the NHL either with the Canadiens or another franchise, though finding takers for a guy with another three years and $11 million left beyond this season will be a challenge.

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  • Canadiens' Karl Alzner: Hits waiver wire

    Alzner was placed on waivers by the Habs on Monday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet.ca reports.

    By waiving Alzner, Montreal clears a spot on the 23-man roster to activate Shea Weber (knee) off injured reserve, which will likely occur ahead of Tuesday's clash with Carolina. Alzner previously told reporters he would be willing to accept a demotion to AHL Laval, per Arpon Basu of The Athletic, and figures to return to the minors for the first time since 2009-10, when he was with the Capitals. That's if he clears waivers, which is certainly not guaranteed, but the salary commitment (three more years, $4.625 AAV) should be a deterrent.

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Player Bio

HT/WT: 6-3, 214 lbs
Birthplace: Burnaby, BC
Age: 35
Experience: 11
Shoots: Left