Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
Right...because its very common for 28 yo defensemen who have logged 650 NHL games, been top 3 on their team in terms of TOI for the last 6 years, led his teams PK, and is generally considered one of the best pure defensive dmen in the game...is often "not a good" player. 
Good grief. |
Maybe Alzner IS a good penalty killer, but then so is Kris Russell. Why wouldn't you just bring Russell back while killing the other bird of the divisional-rival Oilers losing their best penalty killer? Because Alzner fits your imaginary aesthetic better?
Beyond that, sure, Alzner is a "good" player who:
1) gets kicked in on shots directed towards his goaltender (6.07 more shot attempts directed at Holtby/Grubauer per hour with Alzner on the ice than the rest of his team)
2) doesn't contribute offensively (13 points last season - less than Deryk Engelland)
3) turned John Carlson from a career possession monster to a guy who spends all his time defending, and whose team generally generates 8.56 less shot attempts for themselves when he is on the ice...
Alzner would be a nice #6 for a team on a vet min deal. Bringing him in to be anything more and you are knowingly handicapping your roster. If there is one player the Capitals can afford to lose and somehow come out better for it, it's him (well, Brooks Orpik too).