The opening day of free agency is on Saturday, however teams can speak with potential free agents leading up to that point about everything except contract terms. The news broke early today that free agent defenceman Karl Alzner will meet this week with the Montreal Canadiens management.
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
Obviously Alzner and his agent are doing the rounds and visiting a number of teams this week. It could be nothing, but Marc Bergevin does enjoy players of Alzner’s ilk, so it’s a situation worth keeping an eye on.
Last season with the Washington Capitals he played all 82 games, managing just 3 goals and 10 assists, with 105 hits and a 46.3 CF%.
For the price that Alzner would likely command in free agency, it would be wise for the Canadiens to stay away.
The Habs are not going to be the only team interested in Alzner as free agency begins, and in a weak UFA market for defencemen, Alzner will surely be able to set his price.
