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Montreal Canadiens place struggling Karl Alzner on waivers

By Brandon Maron

MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 30: Montreal Canadiens defenceman Karl Alzner (27) looks for a pass target during the Dallas Stars versus the Montreal Canadiens game on October 30, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 30: Montreal Canadiens defenceman Karl Alzner (27) looks for a pass target during the Dallas Stars versus the Montreal Canadiens game on October 30, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Just one year after signing a lucrative 5-year, $23.125 million deal, the Montreal Canadiens are sending Karl Alzner down to the AHL.

The deed is done. Struggling defenseman Karl Alzner has been placed on waivers by the Montreal Canadiens. The 30-year-old blueliner has been an expensive seat in the press box, as he’s appeared in just eight games for the Canadiens this season, collecting one assist. He appeared in all 82 games for Montreal last season, scoring one goal and adding 11 assists.

With team captain Shea Weber set to return to action this week for the first time in nearly a year, the Habs had to cut ties with one of their defensemen. Alzner was clearly the odd man out, as the Canadiens are confident that nobody will claim him and his massive $23.125 million contract off waivers.

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He has been largely disappointing since joining the Canadiens last summer. Alzner signed a five-year deal with Montreal last offseason worth $4.625 million per season. It was a risky deal at the time. Somehow, Alzner has made the deal look even worse than anticipated.

Perhaps a visit to the Laval Rocket in the AHL can help him turn things around. He was a former fifth overall pick by the Washington Capitals in the 2007 draft. Offense has never been his strong suit, which isn’t a good sign moving forward. Nor is Alzner mobile, which is another strike against him. The Canadiens have opted for better skating defensemen than him.

Alzner spoke with The Athletic’s Arpon Basu last week about his possible demotion and had this to say.

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With Noah Juulsen also out with a facial injury for the Canadiens, they will have to make another tough decision with their blue line when he’s ready to return. In the meantime, Brett Kulak was called up from the AHL and has filled in nicely in two games so far.

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