The Montreal Canadiens have sent defenceman Karl Alzner back to the Laval Rocket today.
NHL → Minors
Karl Alzner (D) | Montreal Canadiens#GoHabsGohttps://t.co/7wwjlgPX0q— CapFriendly Transactions (@CF_Transactions) January 24, 2019
The move has not yet been announced by the team but was first noticed on the AHL’s transaction wire.
The team did this not only so Alzner – who has played one NHL game and one AHL game since being recalled – could get into game action, it’s also to save time before he requires waivers again.
Alzner has been up for 28 days, and can be up 30 days without needing waivers again. He could also play in 10 games, but it’s clear that the days limit will be reached well before.
Karl Alzner is returned to the Laval Rocket with two days of NHL waiver exemption remaining. #Habs pic.twitter.com/0uhmFeELd5
— Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) January 24, 2019
The Canadiens don’t have a practice until January 31, and don’t play again until February 2 when they host the New Jersey Devils that afternoon. The Rocket have three games in that time frame as they head on a road trip to Lehigh Valley, Hershey, and then Toronto as the AHL’s All-Star break is also coming up.
Because the Canadiens haven’t officially announced the move, it’s possible that Alzner will not actually play for the Rocket and this is just a paper transaction.
Update: It is indeed a paper transaction. Alzner won’t report to Pennsylvania this weekend.
Karl Alzner est retourné à Laval mais il ne s’agit que d’une transaction de papiers. Il ne se rapportera pas au Rocket pour les matchs de ce week-end en Pennsylvanie.
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) January 24, 2019
