Alzner had two years left at a $4.625M AAV cap hit. Buying him out will cost the Canadiens $3.96M AAV in 2021 ($667K Savings), $1.96M AAV in 2022 ($2.67M Savings) and $883K AAV in 2023 and 2024. Alzner spent most of 2020 in the AHL, where he had one goal and 12 assists in 53 games.
Alzner is one of six players that is opting out of the NHL playoffs due to family concerns. This seems like an easy decision for the 31-year-old, who has only played in four NHL games this season and was unlikely to play much, if at all.
Alzner will play in his first NHL games since November 24th, replacing Mike Reilly on the blueline. Alzner has just one assist in eight games this season.
Alzner routinely served as a healthy scratch earlier in the season and was eventually waived and sent to Laval. Overall, he has one assist in eight games with Montreal and two points (1G / 1A) in 10 games with Laval. He could play Friday in Florida on the third pair with Brett Kulak.
Alzner was the casualty of Shea Weber’s return to the Canadiens lineup and was placed on waivers on Monday. With a massive contract, it’s no surprise that Alzner cleared waivers. It will take a number of injuries to the Canadiens blueline for Alzner to make his way back to the NHL.
Alzner replaced Noah Juulsen in the lineup in the last two games, but with Juulsen back in, Alzner will be scratched again.
Alzner has been a healthy scratch far more than he has played this season, sitting out of 11 of the first 15 games of the season. Alzner, who has five shots while averaging 17:35 TOI/GM, will replace Noah Juulsen vs. the Sabres.
Alzner will replace Noah Juulsen, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Alzner has not picked up a point and averaged 17:11 TOI/GM in two games this year.
Alzner was in the lineup for the last two games, but will be a healthy scratch for the sixth time this season. Victor Mete will draw into the lineup for Alzner.
Alzner is in the second year of a large five-year contract that he signed prior to last season and his season will start in the press box. Being a healthy scratch will end a lengthy ironman streak for Alzner and opens the door for Xavier Ouellet to play with Jordie Benn.
Alzner spent the first nine years of his NHL career in Washington after the Capitals made him the No.5 overall pick in 2007. Alzner is a solid two-way defenseman that is capable of playing heavy minutes against the other team’s best and posting modest offensive numbers. Alzner has not missed a game in seven seasons and has averaged three goals and 14 assists (17 points) per 82 games over that stretch. Alzner could see regular time next to Shea Weber as the Habs’ No.1 pairing.
Alzner missed Monday’s practice but was back on the ice for Tuesday’s morning skate and will play tonight vs. the Red Wings. Alzner has eight points (2G / 6A) and a plus-8 rating in 25 games this season.
The Capitals recalled defenseman Aaron Ness on Sunday which suggested that one of their blue liners was dealing with an injury. On Monday, it was revealed that Alzner is battling an undisclosed injury and his status for Tuesday’s game is in doubt.
