A Winning Habit
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Four ways the Montreal Canadiens can deal with Karl Alzner

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 10: Look on Montreal Canadiens defenceman Karl Alzner (27) wearing a special commemorative canadian forces jersey at warm-up before the Las Vegas Golden Knights versus the Montreal Canadiens game on November 10, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 10: Look on Montreal Canadiens defenceman Karl Alzner (27) wearing a special commemorative canadian forces jersey at warm-up before the Las Vegas Golden Knights versus the Montreal Canadiens game on November 10, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – NOVEMBER 10: Karl Alzner Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. He Clears, and He Stays (For Now)

With the salary cap being so important in today’s NHL, it would be something if a team ended up claiming Alzner off waivers. The cap hit is one thing ($4.625 million per), but the term left on the contract is what will scare teams off.

Most teams are right up against the ceiling anyway, and those who could afford to take on the big ticket would be inhibiting themselves later on when they have to resign their important players. The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils could afford (money-wise) to take Alzner on as they have $15.5 and $13.8 million in space respectively. But they shouldn’t with the number of key players they need to deal with.

Odds are Alzner is clearing. Once he does, he’ll be assigned to Laval and get a veteran piece who Joel Bouchard will most likely play on the top pair. It’ll be a better situation for the 30-year-old in hindsight. It’s a much weaker league that can’t be denied. However, it’s an opportunity for Alzner not only to get minutes but key minutes.

Knowing the type of player Alzner is, he’ll take his time with the Laval Rocket as a chance to improve and grow. His style is one of the main things keeping him in the press box with the Montreal Canadiens and that’ll be a hard thing to change or adjust seeing as he’s been in the NHL for the last ten years.

If Alzner stays busy, he could be a call-up later down the line. Then again, the odds of that scenario being true are slim as well.

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