Washington Capitals rumors: Multiple teams interested in Karl Alzner
Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner is going to be a free agent in a few days. Multiple teams have expressed interest.
The Washington Capitals are set to lose several players in free agency. One of them will be defenseman Karl Alzner, who to this point, has spent his entire career with the Caps. The defenseman has played in 540 consecutive regular season games, a franchise record. However, injuries limited Alzner this season, and he wasn’t as effective as he usually is.
Because of salary cap concerns and his decline, Washington is likely moving on from him. However, Alzner shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a new team. According to multiple sources, he’s getting quite a bit of interest ahead of July 1, the start of free agency. So far, the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks have emerged as the top contenders to sign Alzner.
Montreal Canadiens among the teams that pending UFA Karl Alzner is visiting on his tour this week... lots of teams interesting obviously
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 26, 2017
Have learned the #Canucks have called the agent for D Karl Alzner and F Jordan Weal. Both local products.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 25, 2017
Speaking of the Capitals, Karl Alzner is drawing a crowd. Several calls from teams with interest. He will visit with some this week. https://t.co/CoTCoUObMi
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 26, 2017
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It appears that Alzner’s days with the Capitals are through. Both sides need a change. Alzner obviously wants to keep playing top minutes and prove that he’s healthy. Meanwhile, after re-signing T.J. Oshie, Washington doesn’t have the cap space to pay him what he’s worth. Alzner is one of the top defensemen in free agency.
Should he depart, which seems likely, it will end a great run with the Capitals. Alzner’s been a steady defenseman for a very long time. He’s seen four different coaches (Bruce Boudreau, Dale Hunter, Adam Oates and Barry Trotz). The Capitals drafted Alzner with the third overall pick of the 2007 NHL Draft.
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Washington has had a great time with Alzner. But now it’s time for both sides to part ways. Hopefully a nice tribute video and standing ovation will be in store for him when he returns to the Verizon Center.