The Arrival Of King Karl

by J.P. on Aug 27, 2008 7:33 AM EDT

"Summer is fun, but you get sick of it and want to get back . . . and I'm probably in the best shape I've ever been in my life.... I'm going down September 7 and try and skate a little bit before camp opens." [Calgary Herald]

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Where do all of you see Alzner fitting in this year? From scouting reports, he seems to be touted as NHL ready. I can't help but equate him to a Bret Hedican type at the moment, however. Tremendous skater, smart, but not possessing a cannon shot or much of a physical side. What's his realistic timetable this year, and what do you think his upside is?

by Cap74 on Aug 27, 2008 8:08 AM EDT reply actions

I think the term "mature beyond his years" was created just for Alzner. If this kid plays half as well as he talks, we may have another Scott Stevens in the making.

by b.orr4 on Aug 27, 2008 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

I see Alzner as ready to start in the NHL. Its always been said that the only reason people play in Hershey is to get them ready for the big show - well if HE'S ready, then why not give him all we've got.

Anyway, I could see him on the 3rd line this year, and if he plays well, perhaps break into the 2nd.

Alzner is a very similar player to Lidstrom - stays in the back, very defensive, but probably lacks the intensity and slapshot Lidstrom has - something that's probably only a matter of time for him.

He's the exact opposite of Mike Green in playstyle, and that's absolutely fine with me.

by Tim on Aug 27, 2008 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

I do remember GMGM getting skewered for picking Alzner over Cherapanov - now b.orr4 is mentioning KA in the same breath as Emperor Stevens. Wow.

by Shaggy on Aug 27, 2008 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

I think they will let Alzner play into a spot.

If he can play and doesn't make mistakes I dont see why he shouldn't be in the lineup.

Shultz was given some big minutes, and I think Alzner should be given the same opportunity.

by TJ on Aug 27, 2008 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

@Shaggy-Well I did qualify it as "in the making". Obviously Scotty was a very special player but Alzner is very impressive for his age. Size-wise, I think Alzner may be a little bigger than Steven's was when he first came up, although I doubt he'll ever come even close to using his body like Scotty did. One area where he's way ahead of Stevens is his maturity. When Scotty was a rookie, you could barely get him to look you in the eye when he talked to you. And if he said more than two words at a time, it was considered a breakthrough. He was a farm boy through and through. Alzner apparently has never met a microphone he didn't love. Time will tell on Carl, but I sure like what I've seen so far.

by b.orr4 on Aug 27, 2008 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

love the upside, the maturity, that he was D of the year in juniors and that he captained Canada in the WJC...love all of that. But at 19 he has not even shown he can handle the Bears, much less the Caps. Unless he is lights out in camp and Erskine falls on his face (and both clearly are possible), Alzner should start the year in Hershey

by bigonetimer on Aug 27, 2008 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

"I do remember GMGM getting skewered for picking Alzner over Cherapanov"

Huh? I was excited when we got Alzner, and I thought that was the general consensus. Alzner should have been gone by the time we picked but the Kings inexplicably grabbed Thomas Hickey instead.

by Sombrero Guy on Aug 27, 2008 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

I was at the draft party at kettler when they drafted Alzner and I must admit I was pretty pissed. I probably have too much forward bias so was hoping for Voracek but never have a problem being proven wrong especially when it is to the Capitals advantage.

by usiel on Aug 27, 2008 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

+1 to Usiel on the admission

by JP on Aug 27, 2008 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not looking for any boner points. I was happy when they took him and I want this post stickied when he's playing top 4 minutes by the end of February.

by JR on Aug 27, 2008 5:07 PM EDT reply actions