Karl Alzner: Sophomore Slumping
by J.P. on Feb 16, 2010 2:30 PM EST
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Karl Alzner's NHL career started out as well as any Caps fan (including those within the organization) could have realistically hoped - through a dozen games, "King Karl" had his first NHL goal, three assists and a plus-eight rating while averaging more than 20 minutes of ice time per night for a team on a 9-3-0 run.
In his 39 games since, however, Alzner has no goals, six helpers and a minus-11 rating. That raises a simple question without a simple answer: what's going on with Karl Alzner?
To begin with, since November 25, 2008, Alzner has been recalled from and sent back to Hershey nine times. Over the course of those nine recalls, Alzner has played 51 NHL games, but only once this season has the former CHL Defenseman of the Year played in six consecutive games. Moreover, when he has played, it hasn't been with a consistent partner. It's clearly been a challenge for Alzner to find any sort of groove with Washington this season.
But the organization's handling of its 2007 first-round pick is only part of the problem. When given opportunity, Alzner has struggled. Here's a look at the 21-year-old's NHL career to date:
Most notable here is the reduction in ice time, with a large portion of that three minute difference coming shorthanded, where Alzner averaged 3:07 per game a season ago, but just 1:32 this year. Why has King Karl's role been so reduced? In part, at least, because of his play. The five-on-five advanced statistics paint an ugly picture: Alzner's -3.24 rating is worst among the team's blueliners, thanks to a team-worst 3.21 GAON/60 and the second-lowest GFON/60 of that group - and that was while playing against weaker competition this season than he faced last year. The penalty killing numbers are much better for Alzner - quite good, in fact - but those have come in limited minutes and against relatively lower quality competition.
Alzner is in an interesting spot in his young career. On the one hand, he's the only defenseman from his draft class to have even ten NHL games under his belt to date. On the other hand, the following year's draft class has a handful of blueliners who are ahead of Alzner, developmentally and experientially. And, of course, Alzner has gone from being something of a franchise savior on defense to perhaps second on the organization's rearguard prospect depth chart (while playing for a team that has, frankly, been spoiled by the remarkable early NHL success that players like Alex Ovechkin, Nick Backstrom, Mike Green and Jeff Schultz have had).
As last season's trade deadline approached, teams were asking about Alzner and were turned down. As this year's deadline approaches and those same inquiries are made... one has to wonder whether George McPhee would be more willing to move one of his prized assets.
For more on Alzner, check out Corey Masisak's piece over at CSN Washington.
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J.P. you are brilliant.
one has to wonder whether George McPhee would be more willing to move one of his prized assets.
I sure hope not. I’m pretty convinced such a deal would burn us coming and going. Although, if it’s going to take forever to give this kid the spot he deserves here in Washington, then maybe dealing him away can’t make things worse.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
I have to agree with this.
As you said, J.P. -
spoiled by the remarkable early NHL success that players like Alex Ovechkin, Nick Backstrom, Mike Green and Jeff Schultz have had
Defensemen take longer to develop, traditionally, than forwards; less time than goaltenders. I’m hoping we’ll be willing to give him a little more time… not so much that it hurts us, but a little…
I need a snappy signature...
Alzner has looked a lot less sure of himself this season. I feel bad for him. Hope the yo-yo factor doesn’t screw him up mentally.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
As people are fond of saying, these guys are professionals.
I would hope that Alzner understands that the reason he’s being yo-yo’d is not entirely on him (although it occasionally is). There are so many other factors involved, including the Olympics and eligibility to play for Hershey during the break rather than sitting on his duff (which has GOT to be a valuable point for him…)
I need a snappy signature...
And the fact that management seems to have this idea that Sloan is a player that should get an NHL sweater, and that Erskine should get one on a nightly basis.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 16, 2010 8:10 PM EST up reply actions
Alzer seems like the type of player who needs a consistent partner. He played with Juice almost exclusively in 08/09 and the numbers were solid. Juice also played some of his best hockey with Alzner as his partner. But maybe the inconsistent pairings on the blue line this year helps explain the inconsistent results overall for our whole defense, it just impacts Alzner more becuase he is 21.
Question for the committee:
Mike Green is our top dman, in both ice time and madd skillz. But is he really the leader of the corps of defensemen? Is he creating expectations that the other guys need to meet? I s’pose some of that comes from the dman with the “A” on his sweater but I wonder if there needs to be a stronger voice on the blueline.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I think it’s on Poti (as you allude to) and Bob Woods. But you can never have too much leadership, and another veteran would certainly be a nice presence on the ice and in the development of the four kid blueliners.
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one would hope that Potsy, having been around for a few years now, would step up and provide some leadership as well. And perhaps he does; its just not something that easily observable for those of us on the outside.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
On Draper having to wear a USA jersey at practice: "well at least the Wings can settle bets without involving gold plated desert eagles!"
I’m not talking about providing “some” leadership, I’m talking about leading. It seems to me that there isn’t “the guy” on the blueline who can say “this is how it is going to be, because this is how it is”. A Mike Knuble for the d-corps.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Knuble: Ok forwards, this is how it’s going to be because this is how Ovie wants it.
Russian Machine very rarely breaks. Oh and f**k Brooks Orpik.
by macvechkin on Feb 16, 2010 5:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Isn’t it quite common to pair rookie D with vets to teach them the ropes and in part cover their mistakes?
I’m not sure Alzner has had this luxury with the caps.
I’d agree he’s not longer on the un-tradeable list, especially given his salary compared to Carlson. But I’d much rather they give him these last 20 games on the 3rd pair with Pothier and see what he can do with a little consistency.
Sure – Brendan Witt had Calle Johansson. Sergei Gonchar had Joe Reekie. Ken Klee had Sylvain Cote. Mike Green had/has… Shaone Morrisonn. There’s no doubt in my mind that Green and Schultz (and soon Alzner and Carlson) have developed largely on their own and without the aid of a strong veteran mentor, and it has hurt them.
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I thought Bruce preferred puck mover-defensive pairings, but this doesn’t seem to apply to Alzner. I would’ve expected him to get more time with Poti and Potsy than he has. Unless I’m wrong and Alzner is more of the puck mover category?
"Ah, dinner. The perfect break between work and drunk." - Homer Simpson
I think Alzner falls in between, and will fill in whatever role will be needed.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Feb 16, 2010 10:48 PM EST up reply actions
On the other hand, the following year’s draft class has a handful of blueliners who are ahead of Alzner, developmentally and experientially.
But those guys were touted as ridiculously exceptional prospects, and with the exception of Doughty (and even then, only this year) those guys aren’t on anything that comes close to “contender” status. I suspect most of them wouldn’t be playing on the Caps right now either.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
It’s not hard for a guy’s GFON/60 and GAON/60 to take a huge hit when playing with John Erskine 35% of the time.
DC Landing Strip - Waxed and Ready to Go
The stats that JP points to (of rookie classes and games played) is obviously from the beginning of the year because it has zero games played for players like vanRiemsdyk and Carlson. If it was up to date, Alzner may not look to be ahead of the other defensemen in his class.
Carlson isn’t in the same draft class as Alzner, and JVR is a forward. He definitely is still ahead of the other D in his class. Only two other guys from that year have any NHL time, and Subban just got his right before the break and Ellerby hasn’t gotten much.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Understood, just pointing out that if vanRiemsdyk is listed as having played zero games, the reference source can not be accurate for all players. I concede the overall point. (Alex Plante was called up by Edmonton earlier this year BTW.)
No, it’s not. But I’ve looked at the D in that class and I’m pretty sure Yannick Weber’s 8 games is second to Alzner.
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And he looked pretty damn bad today against the USA (especially David Backes). I didn’t even realize he had games, or was in that draft. I went through the first two rounds the other day and the only guys I recognized as having NHL time were Subban and Ellerby. Regardless, the point remains that Alzner is about a year (or more) ahead of every other D in that draft.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
100% selling on this
Give the guy more than 21 games here and there between a dozen transactions from Hershey before declaring a sophomore anything. He was 5 games over the limit for 2010 Calder eligibility.
And as far as moving him? “Oh haaaaillll nooooo!”
Russian Machine very rarely breaks. Oh and f**k Brooks Orpik.
On all counts. Too small a sample size, too sporadically measured.
Can’t imagine an enticing trade that would include Alzner. The quality of player you get back isn’t going to make $1.5M a year for the next 3-4 years and then we’re back to bucking up against the cap.
Russian Machine very rarely breaks. Oh and f**k Brooks Orpik.
I agree. He hasn’t really been put in a situation to succeed in DC, and he’s absolutely dominating in HER. He clearly still has game, he just hasn’t translated it to the NHL yet. And in any event, I don’t think his rookie year was so good that you’d call this one a slump. He’s just a developing player.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
he’s absolutely dominating in HER
I’m not sure that those who’ve watched him on a nightly basis in Chocolatetown would agree with that assessment.
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I guess I should back off on that since I never watch HER. But I’ve read Mark French calling him “a difference maker” in the AHL. John Walton has called him and Carlson the team’s top D pair. He was leading the AHL in plus/minus (for all the stat’s flaws) earlier in the year and is still among the leaders with far fewer games played. Now, of course he is helped by the prolific HER offense, but at the same time, he’s still a kid in a man’s league and clearly holding his own. If your coach calls you a difference maker, and the guy who follows the team closest says you’re on the best D pair on the team (which happens to be running away with the conference and is the best in the league) then you can’t really be a liability. Maybe domination was too strong, but I think it’s fair to say he’s not struggling; nothing that would qualify as a sophomore slump. Seems like he took a step forward from last year, even if not at the NHL level yet.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Kind words to be sure, but from a couple of folks on the Bears payroll – not exactly voices of objectivity.
Here’s what one impartial observer (Corey) had to say about one game this weekend: “Karl Alzner, on the other hand, did not look sharp at times. He’s not going to stand out like Carlson on offense, but he had a couple of giveaways in his own end, and a bad read or two. There was only one very noticeable error and a few minor ones, but there are high expectations for him and especially at this level.” The key is obviously that last clause, and the implication that it may be more than one off night.
At the end of the day, you’re hard pressed to find a bigger Alzner backer tor anyone more critical of the way the team has handled him than me. But I think that his development hasn’t necessarily progressed as quickly as some had hoped or even expected.
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You may be right, and you know I’m firmly in the Alzner camp as well. I may just be stuck in the dark ages when 21 year old’s weren’t supposed to be that good against grown men.
Drafted 2007, Captain of the 2008 Canada Gold medal WJC team, WHL Player of the year and D of the year, as well as CHL D of the year in 2007-08. Then he went pro, and as a rookie got a cup of coffee in the NHL and won a Calder Cup (albeit missing time with injury) and now is a top pair D on the best team in the AHL and got another cup of coffee in the NHL with one of the best teams in the league. It’s easy to get impatient, but I’m not all that worried.
Bogosian has slowed down a lot, Schenn has gotten healthy scratched, Pieterangelo is in Barry with SDR. Those are 3 of the 4 super-studs from the 2008 draft. Only Doughty has progressed faster than Alzner, IMO, and there’s no shame in that. If Alzner is on ATL, STL, or TOR is there really any chance he’s not an everyday player in the NHL? He’s taken his lumps, and will continue to, but he’s got undeniable physical skill and one of the best heads on his shoulders I’ve ever seen on such a young kid.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
I’m with you, brother. Believe me.
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You honestly don’t think he’s playing at a lower level right now than he was for his first dozen or so games last year?
And I agree – I wouldn’t want to see him moved. I’m all for patience.
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I think he is, but I don’t think that qualifies as a sophomore slump. I think he was running high on adrenaline when he first came up last year, like MP did this year, and then regressed and wore down with time. I never though his year last year was so great that he was set up for a slump. It’s not like he scored 52 goals and then went on to fall short of 50 in his second year like some kind of one shot wonder.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Fair enough. Poor choice of one word trying to make for a catchy title (and then not used again in the entire post) on my part.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
You don’t have to justify it to me. It’s all about the discussion here and given his fast start last year (and my expectation that he’d finish this year in our top 4 D) I don’t think you’re ridiculous for asking the question. I’m just going to show up to go to bat for him (as you had to know I would).
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
I am all for being highly critical of players, their development and their stats, but I must admit that this whole article struck a bad chord for me. Sorry JP, but the title might as well have read “GMGM failed to pick another generational talent”. Strike it up to also being strongly in Alzners’ camp I would guess and also being spolied as you noted above. Sorry but 51 games is way to premature to be judging to harshly especially given the yo-yo season this one has unraveled so far. 51 games next year all at the NHL level, and as noted below let’s call that his sophmore season.
Anyway, everything I have ever heard was that a D-man takes 250 NHL games to develop or just a touch over 3 seasons. I guess the question is – If we have to wait, so what?
Promote the game, it's the NHL, not SCHL
Sorry JP, but the title might as well have read "GMGM failed to pick another generational talent".
Why? J.P. saying Alzner’s a bust, or anything close to it. He’s saying that he’s struggled more than a lot of people thought this season and that his play, coupled with Carlson’s continued development, makes it more likely he gets moved. Plus J.P. specifically points out that the Capitals have been very fortunate to have players who have had immediate/near immediate NHL success at a young age.
Anyway, everything I have ever heard was that a D-man takes 250 NHL games to develop or just a touch over 3 seasons. I guess the question is – If we have to wait, so what?
I don’t think anyone’s advocating not waiting or giving up on Alzner.
my bad, half way through a bottle of Cab should tell me to not to post comments.
I was taking this as more of a suggestion of if you have to trade our prospects this will likely be the one to look at, which to me seemed like a very knee-jerk reaction, which isn’t the way anything JP’s posted on here before has ever read (well in my state of mind last night).
Will not post during stupers :)
Promote the game, it's the NHL, not SCHL
He didn’t Cheechoo his second year.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 16, 2010 8:15 PM EST up reply actions
I think the reference was to Ovechkin.
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Feb 17, 2010 8:43 AM EST up reply actions
You honestly don’t think he’s playing at a lower level right now than he was for his first dozen or so games last year?
Certainly not disagreeing with you there. Just that he’s been jerked around much more this year than last year and I’d like a larger sample size before declaring anything. As mentioned, he was only 5 games away from being Calder eligible again so I think we are jumping the gun. Give this guy a season with 60+ games and then evaluate his ‘sophomore’ season.
Russian Machine very rarely breaks. Oh and f**k Brooks Orpik.
I’m with you. I think he should’ve been here from day one. Certainly from day one post-Nylander. I’m really not saying anything more than that he’s had his struggles this year, and probably a bit more than expected. Good to see spirited defenses of what I didn’t say, though.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Related but unrelated....
(while playing for a team that has, frankly, been spoiled by the remarkable early NHL success that players like Alex Ovechkin, Nick Backstrom, Mike Green and Jeff Schultz have had)
To put Jeff Schultz in the same breath of “remarkable early success” with Ov, Nick and Green is – - to be nice – - a huge stretch.
Not to be disrespectful, knowing that most of the Rink here has a warm spot for the guy since he’s so hated with the CI’ers, a statement like that one seems like a little overkill… IMO.
The first 3 names mentioned (8/19/52) are phenom’s… breaking records annually. The fourth (55) is a stay at home defenseman that benefits from the scoring ability of the “young guns” (boosting that ever impressive +/- stat of his), plays “generally solid” defense, and every so often ties his own legs into knots in 1-on-1 situations.
And doesn’t begrudge his fellow draftees their superstardom, who pays attention to the details, and takes care of business, improving as he goes and learning from his mistakes. His D work is like Green’s speed with the puck – plays fail to happen because he’s denied the opponent the space and time to make them. It’s a hard role to play, because success means nothing happens while you are on the ice, and yet if something does happen you are lit up like a Christmas tree.
Jeff does that well and without complaint, not a bad trait when you are a defenseman at the best three-ring circus in hockey.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I know that people like to crap on plus-minus, but when you look at the best post-lockout plus-minuses for players through their 23rd birthdays, it’s not a bad list to be at the top of. For a defensive defenseman – especially a bigger guy – to have as much early success as Schultz has had is impressive. I stand by it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That’s pretty impressive. There are some real good players on there, including several that are known for their defensive play (and some that, uh, aren’t… cough Jason Spezza cough).
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Joe Beninati doesn’t think it’s a slump. He was on the radio in Baltimore yesterday and he thinks Alzner is a 3-4 D-man at best who was drafted too high.
Interesting. Did he say why he thinks that? I mean, the kid is clearly ahead of the curve, and the entire CHL and Hockey Canada brass, as well as every respected scout, all had him pegged as a blue chip prospect. Whether he is or isn’t, it’s just way too soon to tell, and I don’t trust Joe B.’s take over a guy like Bob McKenzie. I really would love to sit down with BB and pick his brain.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
And obviously BB disagrees with me, but I still think that if Alzner had just been left on the roster all year he’d be at least as good as any other D we have in terms of being our 4D. Hell, he still may be without that time. Selling him as a 3-4 at best pretty much says that he doesn’t think he’ll develop much more from where he is now. I find that highly unlikely.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
he thinks Alzner is a 3-4 D-man at best who was drafted too high.
Wow. Not sure the veracity of those comments, but rather harsh and premature.
Russian Machine very rarely breaks. Oh and f**k Brooks Orpik.
The thing is, I have no idea how slotting works when it comes to defensemen, because everyone has a different standard. Is a shutdown guy like Robyn Regher or Jan Hejda a 3-4 guy because he provides minimal offense? Or is a top pairing guy because true shutdown guys are harder to find than guys who can play adequate defense and produce slightly more from the blue line?
Is Green our top pair guy because he has more points, or is it Poti/Schultz because they play the toughest competition? I generally agree with you, but at a high level I think you can basically categorize as top pair, middle pair, bottom pair based on their skill set. Alzner may end up on a second pair if we end up with the Green/Schultz/Carlznerson but he could still be top pair quality.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
The comparisons to Sarge are very valid, because 27 & 55 are very similar type of players, kudos on that JP.
Sarge’s 3rd year after being drafted he played 38 games in the NHL (2006-07) and he was a +5 averaging 18 minutes of ice time on a pretty weak blue line. Then he went 72 and 64 games the next 2 years & is on pace for 73 this season. Clearly he has taken his game to another level this year as he gets ready to turn 24 next week.
Alzner is only 21 and has already played 51 games. I started doing the numbers on this, but it was taking too long, but I assert that Alzner plays more ice time when Tom Poti is not in the line-up. Alzner, Poti, and Sarge all are similar non-physical puck moving d-men.
As for his play in Hershey, he is dominant there. I talk with John Walton frequently and he says things like “Karl almost always has a good game”, “he and Carlson are a dominant pair”, etc.
Personally, I think he is way better than Sloan and should have been up instead of 89. But the Caps want to protect their assets and have the luxury of being able to move Alzner/Carlson up and down w/o fear of losing them. Not sure if that has helped Alzner, I would argue it has hurt him, but it is what it is.
Anyways, Alzner’s value is HUGE around the league. A Western Conference scout told me at the time the Caps chose him that they got the best D-man in that draft and he still speaks highly of Karl. That scout, who was also an assistant coach in the league, says patience with young guys, especially defenseman, is paramount. He would have preferred Karl play all of last season in the AHL but the Caps had injuries and needed him up. I see no way that GMGM moves Alzner. He and Carlson will very likely be a regular D-pair next season when some of the current contracts expire.
by Ed F - WNST on Feb 16, 2010 8:02 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Love to hear your take since you get to talk to people most of us can’t even dream of getting access to. That all pretty much jives with what I’ve already seen/heard about Alzner so it’s good to know the pros agree with me.
I don’t think many people would argue that Sloan is a better player than Alzner. I think it’s clear that Sloan’s situation is related to cap issues and waiver issues, not actual talent. But I’d love to hear someone ask BB the question straight up and hear what he has to say. I’m sure he’d answer it in coach speak but I can’t imagine he’d say “yes, right now Ty Sloan is a better NHL player than Karl Alzner.”
It appears this season is basically lost for Alzner, as far as being on the Caps for the playoffs. If he doesn’t start next season with the big club then I’ll be extremely disappointed and start wondering WTF is happening.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Thanks F&B, always like reading your input too! One thing about Bruce, he always makes it a point to say the following to the media when pressed on personnel: “I am not in charge of the personnel”
Meaning that while he has input, it is McPhee who makes the final call who is on the roster at any point in time.
by Ed F - WNST on Feb 16, 2010 10:21 PM EST up reply actions
Good article and presentation of information --
It’s tough to predict the success of most 18 year-olds on draft day to solid play in the NHL. Alzner had a great pedigree and was certainly well grounded.
I’m a huge fan of Alzner and hope to buy his jersey and get it autographed. That said, I have to believe he has regressed from last year. Part of this is due to the ’yo-yo- effect and part is due to lack of a D-pairing partner in Washington and (possibly) lack of mentoring.
Giving up on him would be tough — it will be interesting to see if GMGM would make a move and include Alzner in a trade for an established D-man.
I want Alzner to succeed and I pray he doesn’t become a four-star AHL player but marginal NHL player.
I saw him play last Sunday night in Hershey— he had a few mistakes, one very glaring bad pinch and a few turnovers from passes.
For my money — keep Alzner and Carlson at Hershey for the balance of this year, inclujding playoffs and bring both of them up next year, at the start of the year, and KEEP THEM TOGETHER, consistently, as D-pairing partners for the Caps.
Playing Time and Defensive Partners
While I’ve made my preference for Carlson over Alzner pretty clear, I still think Alzner’s going to be a heck of a hockey player. Shockingly enough though, I actually agree with Beninati on this one – I think Alzner was drafted a little too high (based in large part on his perceived “readiness” for the pro game), and his ceiling is probably that of a #2/3 defenseman, primarily because he lacks offensive upside. Looking around the league, the guys who log big minutes all have some offensive ability. Alzner may develop that with time, but it’s never been a big part of his game – even down in Juniors.
As for “what’s wrong with Karl?,” I think it’s pretty simple – he’s not playing the same amount or type of minutes when he’s called up, and he’s often playing with poor partners.
Alzner has been playing 20-25 minutes plus per game since he was 16. He played that much in Calgary and he plays that much in Hershey. When he was called up last year, he played that much for the Caps. As his play suffered last year, his ice time went down. Some might see that as correlation, but I see it as causation. Likewise, he’s been playing under 20 mins/night frequently this year in Washington and his play is suffering for it. Playing defense is, in my opinion, all about being in the flow of the game. Forwards can come in, play like a buzzsaw on crystal meth for 45 seconds, and get off the ice and usually that’s considered a good shift. On defense, that would be . . . John Erskine. If you sit for too long (as you easily can playing on the third pairing), your legs get cold and you lose focus. For a young player like Alzner, that kind of inactivity is particularly harmful because he doesn’t have the experience to deal with it – he’s always been the “stud” D-Man his whole life, whereas it’s probably easier for guys like Sloan and Erskine who have never been that good.
Speaking of Sloan and Erskine and not being all that good, they’ve frequently been Alzner’s partners on defense and they’ve been his partner when he has put up his most statistically poor games. I remember a few games in particular where Alzner was minus two or three and yet not one of the goals scored while he was on the ice could be considered “his fault,” but were more the result of Erskine and Sloan being. . . Erskine and Sloan.
Earlier this year, I said that I thought this team was “Emingering” Karl Alzner – eroding his confidence by not putting him in positions to succeed and making decisions about his career based on all the wrong reasons. Several people disagreed pretty strongly with me, but I stand by that comment now. I may not think that Alzner is going to be as great as his draft position might have suggested, but I still think he’s going to be a very good NHL player if developed properly and, frankly, I just don’t see that happening right now.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Feb 17, 2010 9:04 AM EST reply actions 4 recs
Excellent point about adjusting to playing fewer minutes. It definitely takes a different mindset and some getting used to being able to get a feel for the speed and flow of a game without the consistent minutes of a top pairing guy, especially for a guy like Alzner whose game relies so much on positioning and skating. I imagine it is not an easy adjustment for him.
I also completely agree about the D pairings and not putting Alzner in a position to succeed, and I’ve said so in the past. To expect any young, inexperienced defenseman to have success while having to cover for a mistake prone partner is asking a ton. Alzner makes mistakes himself (it’s all part of the learning curve), so he should be paired with a guy that is better at covering for mistakes than at making them.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 17, 2010 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
Earlier this year, I said that I thought this team was "Emingering" Karl Alzner – eroding his confidence by not putting him in positions to succeed and making decisions about his career based on all the wrong reasons.
I agree with the latter part that the personnel decisions were made for the wrong reasons (waiver exempt, etc.) but I still disagree that it’s gotten to the point of “Emingering” in that I don’t think we are ruining the guy or turning him into a basket case. I didn’t follow Eminger closely at all when he was in Juniors so I have no idea what kind of head he had on his shoulders, but I think Alzner has a better head than almost every other 21 year old AHL/NHL player. I still think he’ll be alright but this year has done him no favors.
And as far as needing to have offensive talent to be a true stud, I disagree. Mostly that’s the case, for sure. But plenty of guys have a real solid reputation just on their defensive play, and more recently we’ve seen guys like Luke Schenn get drafted in the lottery exclusively because of his defensive skill. Shit, Keith Seabrook wouldn’t be much more than Jan Hejda (offensively) if he wasn’t on such an explosive offensive team.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Shit, Keith Seabrook wouldn’t be much more than Jan Hejda (offensively) if he wasn’t on such an explosive offensive team.
I didn’t realize the Flames’ AHL team had such a great offense.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 17, 2010 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think Alzner has been fully “Eminger-ed” yet, but they’re not on a good path right now. He’s got a good head, but he’s also clearly a pretty sensitive dude, and he himself has noted that he’s got some quirks (like his superstitions) that he’s got to work past. I’m not convinced that’s he’s so psychologically bullet-proof that the yo-yo-ing won’t disrupt him, but at this point we’re just speculating about stuff that’s pretty hard to judge.
With regard to my point about offensive capability, my definition of a “Top Defenseman/#1-2 Defenseman” is a guy who can play all three phases of the game (5v5, PP, PK). Right now, it doesn’t appear as though Alzner is developing the offensive skills necessary to play on the PP. However, you made a point above about the relative strength of the Caps organization and how that might be “hindering” his development, and I think that applies here as well. In a weaker organization, I think Alzner would be looked on to do much more offensively, and his stats would reflect that. For example, had he been drafted by Florida, his career progression would probably look a bit more like Jay Bouwmeester’s.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Agreed. And I think Alzner is smart with the puck and makes solid passes; on this team it’s just a matter of him getting comfortable and confident then he’ll start racking up assists. He may never score much, but I’ll be he gets some As and even more third assists from sweet breakout passes.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Thanks for the great analysis
I’m a long time Japers reader but this is my first time posting. I just wanted to say thanks for such a great discussion of Alzner and his development. I’ve been a huge fan of his but just wasn’t sure whether his yo-yoing back and forth from Hershey to DC was because he wasn’t ready developmentally to be up here full-time or that there were too many d-men here in his way or whether management wanted him to have more ice time which he would get at Hershey or something else entirely! Let’s just say I was confused. I now have greater clarity about the issue—it’s complicated—like life. But a future Alzner/Carlson pairing on the Caps is still a viable hope.
Fedorov: "I'd like my career to go out with a bang. I'd like to just touch that style of play I once had. If I can touch that level it would be great."
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
55 | 27 | 17 | 11 | 65 |
|
Washington
|
55 | 28 | 22 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
57 | 26 | 25 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
55 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 54 |
|
Carolina
|
56 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 51 |
(updated 2.13.2012 at 1:00 PM EST)
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