Karl Alzner was the big free agent acquired by the Montreal Canadiens last July. Although he was among the top players available, the contract he ended up signing with the Habs wasn’t well-received. The deal would see him make $4.625 million a year for the next five seasons. But with other suiters out there, Marc Bergevin was forced to pay the extra price.
What made the contract look worse was Alzner’s performance this past season. Touted as being a reliable defenceman with shutdown capabilities, the 29-year-old found himself on the wrong end of a turnover or missed assignment.