Rumor: Habs will buyout Alzner if they can land a big free agent

[John B]

As some have already pointed out, there are other options for Alzner instead of a buy out.

Option 1: Retain 50% and trade him for a player in a similar situation, but with only one year left on their deal if need be. This player may have a much larger cap hit, but it's only for next year. I don't have to see a positive return come back to be happy with the deal.
Option 2: Trade him for a similar player in a similar situation that might be a better fit for both teams. It's ironic that Pagnotta tweeted this. Back in November (when Alzner was placed on waivers and ultimately sent to Laval), he tweeted that there were teams that were interested in a retained Alzner. He insinuated that there were teams who believed that Azner wasn't finished, but that he just didn't fit in with the Habs system. The assumption (that a lot of fans made, not Pagnotta) was that the deal would involve a similar player that might fit in better. So basically what I'm proposing in option 2.
Option 3: Bury him in the minors and hope for a compliance buy outs after the next CBA assuming the Habs don't need the space right now (which they shouldn't). Or buy him out next year or in the final year of his contract when it's not going to hurt as much. Alzner can be used as a veteran presence for the young developing kids in the minors.

 

[Runner77]

Wasn't Alzner a big free agent signing? Doesn't seem like they've learned anything.

Those who recommended Alzner to Bergevin, continue to be employed by the Habs and continue to advise him.

Learning something would have involved firing them.

 

[stanley25]

Habs will not buyout Alzner. If anything the cap is better spend with him helping out AHL team. Will most likely be traded or bought out in 2 years.

 

[Runner77]

This doesn't make any sense. The buyout window closes Sunday. Frenzy starts Monday.

It's to make sure bought out players can find work.

Nothing Pagnotta says makes any sense and yet people in here keep quoting him.

 

[Runner77]

They needed someone to replace Markov's minutes and probably thought Alzner's poor form was cased by temporary health issues and he'll be fine. It was a leap of faith, but they didn't have much room for maneuver once they decided to let Markov go.

The GM knew for quite some time that Markov’s time was coming to an end. And when he couldn’t extend Markov, he panicked and did not do a proper due diligence on Alzner. Poor planning 101.

 

[Flames Fanatic]

1 year younger, 1 mil cheaper, 1 less year remaining. why do they say no?

Because Alzner would be eating popcorn for us. Neal just had a year where is shooting percentage literally was less than half his career average. At minimum he can play a depth role for us.

 

[Maitz]

He signed Alzner because Markov left that year and our LD was atrociously bad. Not saying Alzner improved it but he thought that at least he signed an NHL defenceman

 

[stopclickbait]

Man that summer was pretty hilarious if i'm remember correctly for MTL fans.

You had Bergevin trying to pin Markov and Radulov against each other calling them mercenaries and dogs. Telling them they can only sign one of them only to lose both of them.

I would think MTL would treat Markov with more class since he still had some more left in the tank compared to an awful player like Alzner.

Then you had Mike Kelly probably the biggest dolt in the NHL talking about Alzner high percentage break out passes despite everyone knowing he handles the puck like a grenade.

That is what you get when you have a high school drop out as your NHL GM.

 

[Hivemind]

IMO a fireable offense. If the common fan knew his health issues how does a GM not when investing several million?

To be fair, there were plenty of average fans who wrote off his health issues after looking at his ironman streak of 82GP seasons.

 

[Subbanned]

Can we just buy him out anyways?

 

[V13]

As some have already pointed out, there are other options for Alzner instead of a buy out.

Option 1: Retain 50% and trade him for a player in a similar situation, but with only one year left on their deal if need be. This player may have a much larger cap hit, but it's only for next year. I don't have to see a positive return come back to be happy with the deal.
Option 2: Trade him for a similar player in a similar situation that might be a better fit for both teams. It's ironic that Pagnotta tweeted this. Back in November (when Alzner was placed on waivers and ultimately sent to Laval), he tweeted that there were teams that were interested in a retained Alzner. He insinuated that there were teams who believed that Azner wasn't finished, but that he just didn't fit in with the Habs system. The assumption (that a lot of fans made, not Pagnotta) was that the deal would involve a similar player that might fit in better. So basically what I'm proposing in option 2.
Option 3: Bury him in the minors and hope for a compliance buy outs after the next CBA assuming the Habs don't need the space right now (which they shouldn't). Or buy him out next year or in the final year of his contract when it's not going to hurt as much. Alzner can be used as a veteran presence for the young developing kids in the minors.

Or what about....Habs give Seattle some compensations and (maybe retain some salary like15% or something) to pick him at the expansion draft ? Is that even possible ?

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Those who recommended Alzner to Bergevin, continue to be employed by the Habs and continue to advise him.

Learning something would have involved firing them.

Knock on wood he’s actually faired ok since Rick ‘it’s not a rug’ Dudley left town, maybe he was MBs Wormtongue

 

[Runner77]

Knock on wood he’s actually faired ok since Rick ‘it’s not a rug’ Dudley left town, maybe he was MBs Wormtongue

Could have been the weakest link however, he was only involved in amateur scouting at the time his contract lapsed and was not renewed.

The pro scouting contingent has remained the same.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Makes sense to buy out only if the have an agreement in place for a major ufa signing.

 

[BLONG7]

Bergevin should have been fired for signing this guy....

 

[BLONG7]

Man that summer was pretty hilarious if i'm remember correctly for MTL fans.

You had Bergevin trying to pin Markov and Radulov against each other calling them mercenaries and dogs. Telling them they can only sign one of them only to lose both of them.

I would think MTL would treat Markov with more class since he still had some more left in the tank compared to an awful player like Alzner.

Then you had Mike Kelly probably the biggest dolt in the NHL talking about Alzner high percentage break out passes despite everyone knowing he handles the puck like a grenade.

That is what you get when you have a high school drop out as your NHL GM.

Bergevin is a clown...always has been. He was hired because he was franco...sad way to do things, but...

 

[beowulf]

Wasn't Alzner a big free agent signing? Doesn't seem like they've learned anything.

Alzner was a dumb free agent signing that Bergevin did after he played hardball with the much better Markov.

 

[Price4Prez]

Alzner was a very sought after UFA that year. Habs needed a D and Bergy did what he was and is SUPPOSED to do- get quality players signed.

Of course, in hindsight it was a poor signing- but thats what we need Bergy to do this weekend. Get Duchene signed. Get us a LHD.

NOT just sit around and worry about the chaps in here, arm chair GMing.

 

[Kairi Zaide]

they will buy out alzner to sign simmonds

book it

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

they will buy out alzner to sign simmonds

book it

Simmonds won't be making 7+ M, so there wouldn't be a reason to buy out alzner since they have the cap space.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Nothing Pagnotta says makes any sense and yet people in here keep quoting him.

He was the first to say that Duchene was visiting Montreal. Turned out to be true. At least this time.

 

[Adam Michaels]

they will buy out alzner to sign simmonds

book it

So they can end up buying him out in two years.

 

[Hacketts]

The Fourth Period only exists to this day because it's used to money launder for David Pagnotta's coke business.

 

[Kairi Zaide]

So they can end up buying him out in two years.

and have both on the books

without having either on the team !

 

[Baksfamous112]

Those who recommended Alzner to Bergevin, continue to be employed by the Habs and continue to advise him.

Learning something would have involved firing them.

No the person(s) who recommended Alzner got fired