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The Montreal Canadiens Buyout Defenceman Karl Alzner

By Teddy Elliot

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 22: Karl Alzner #27 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during a game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on February 22, 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 22: Karl Alzner #27 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during a game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on February 22, 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /
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The Montreal Canadiens have waived Karl Alzner, buying out the last two years of his contract.

The 32-year-old Burnaby, B.C. native, was often the topic of buyout discussions among pundits and fan forums and was finally waived by the Montreal Canadiens.

In three seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Alzner only played 95 games in the bleu blanc et rouge, spending almost two full seasons in the AHL with the Laval Rocket.

Alzner’s time with the Canadiens wasn’t without controversy. Many fans believed that general manager Marc Bergevin made a mistake signing the former Washington Capital to a five-year, $23.125 million contract on July 1, 2017.

In Alzner’s first season with the club, the Habs suffered a disastrous 29-40-13 record and missed out on the playoffs. Alzner came to the team with high hopes and a desire to “win.” In a cruel twist of fate, the Capitals won the Stanley Cup only one year after Alzner signed with the Habs.

During his time with the Habs, Alzner was lauded for his professionalism and good nature despite being sent down to the AHL for the first time in his career.

A classic stay-at-home defenceman, Alzner was, unfortunately, a casualty of the changing face of the NHL – one that values speed and quickness over a bruising defence.

No one would say his performance in Montreal was a successful one, but Alzner did post expected points totals in his first full season with the Canadiens. In Laval, he was praised by head coach Joël Bouchard for his leadership qualities.

Alzner’s contract will remain on the books for the next four years until 2023-2024. The biggest hit will come during the upcoming season, at $3,958,333.

According to CapFriendly, Alzner’s buyout will cost the Habs $1,958,333 in 2021-2022, $833,333 in 2022-2023, and another $833,333 in 2023-2024.

With this move, the Habs free up some cap space to potentially make a move for a free agent or a contract renewal.

Alzner would be a decent depth signing at a league minimum for a contending team such as Edmonton or Dallas.

Whether or not Alzner finds a new NHL team is still up in the air, but we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

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