It's Time for Alzner's Hands On Deck
by Stephen Pepper on Apr 27, 2010 2:48 PM EDT
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PrintSo it's another game, another gruesome injury for the Washington Capitals. This time, it's Tom Poti, the rearguard who has been on ice for just a single goal against at even-strength in this first round series vs. Montreal, logged the most PK minutes of all Caps skaters for a unit that has killed minors at a 81.5% clip (eighth-best amongst the 16 first round teams), and served as an unlikely catalyst with the fists as well.
How does a team now facing elimination replace this stalwart on defense, his over twenty-one minutes of TOI/G which has helped limit a surprisingly dynamic Canadiens team to 28 shots or less in three of the six contests to date? Again give a sweater to swift skating, and fellow lefty, Tyler Sloan? Tap the rugged John Erskine for duty for the first time in this series? No. It's time, instead, for the Stanley Cup playoff debut of the "other" pride of Burnaby, BC: Karl Alzner.
Just as Habs' recall of AHL standout defenseman P.K. Subban brought "instant energy" to a team facing the end of its season at home, so can Alzner bring some jump to a team heavily battered already by the war of attrition that is the Cup playoffs.
Alzner, by many accounts, didn't have a great NHL season in his 21 games played for Les Capitals in 2009-10. (As opposed to his dominant season for the Hershey Bears.) Surely the fact that he was recalled from, and sent down to, Hershey an astounding six times had something to do with it. And still, on the penalty kill -- where Mr. Poti will most sorely be missed -- King Karl fared markedly better in his limited NHL action than did Messrs. Sloan and Erskine.
But we know what Alzner brings to the table. Heady plays born of swift decisions. A suffocating presence along the boards. Enough speed to catch up to the Habs' snipers when necessary. And when he's on, near Rod Langway-like positioning. In short, a well-rounded game to effectively replace a top-four D.
On Japers' Rink Radio two weeks ago, the play-by-play voice of the Bears, John Walton, agreed that Alzner is the best defenseman in the AHL. And then there was this from Tim Leone this morning, as the Bears prepare to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their second-round series vs. Albany:
Lefty Karl Alzner has carried a heavy load. He has done a lot of double-shifting and hauled a lot of minutes while being a steadying influence on his partners.
"When you’ve got a guy who manages minutes like Alzner, you can afford to put him out there a lot more," [Bears assistant coach Troy] Mann said.
"Alzner raises everybody’s game. Even [Sean] Collins, who, let’s be honest, he didn’t have a great season, but he’s played really well here since Carly went up [to Washington]. That has to do with Collie’s play, but it also has to do with Alzner, as well."
Mann said Alzner, averaging 26-27 minutes a game, played more than 35 against Albany in Game 1, which went to overtime.
And so, tomorrow, we long to see the "future is now" pairing of Alzner and Real American Hero John Carlson. The one that worked so brilliantly in Hershey, now together in the Big Show. The one we all longed for, and projected in so many comments and bar stool discussions, even two seasons ago. The duo, featuring a ruthlessly efficient, stay-at-home blueliner and an electric two-way pair mate with a booming shot, to propel the Caps into round two.
On the verge of yet another Game Seven, we can only hope that a pair of World Junior Championship and Calder Cup heroes can bring their winning magic to the next, and greatest, level.
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I was hoping this would be the case. This makes me feel a bit better about tomorrow.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Apr 27, 2010 2:50 PM EDT reply actions
Remind me again why we didnt call up King Karl during the regular season toward the end so he could get his NHL legs ………..ugh.
The typical answer will be that giving him the 26 minutes a night for a dominant club at the AHL level, rather than the 16 minutes a night during the NHL regular season, better prepares him for the grind tomorrow.
by Stephen Pepper on Apr 27, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Indeed. And if he was up with the Caps, he wasn’t going to crack the top six, so he’d be spending his time in the press box. Playing 26+ minutes a game and becoming the best defenseman in the AHL>practicing with the Caps and playing every fourth game.
I think my point is that with us up by 400 points in the division, he could have cracked the top 6. I"m just a little frustrated now that we’re in desperation mode (mixing up lines, calling up AHL D) when we had almost the last month of the season to sort this out. Forgive me.
by Pi on Apr 27, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe the Caps were limited to just 4 or 5 callups from Hershey after the trade deadline. They fully expected to have a long playoff run, so using one of them just to get Alzner some experience probably wouldn’t have been a smart move. But there are others who know more about the callup procedure than I do, so I could be wrong.
Four non-emergency call-ups until Hershey’s season is over.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I believe this does qualify as an emergency call-up though, as Poti was injured during a game.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 27, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Why was Alzner’s April 6 call-up an “Emergency” with Green in the pressbox? Wasn’t that termed a healthy-scratch? Or am I forgetting something?
Heh. What those three guys said…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
So if it’s not an emergency recall unless Sloan and Erskine are hurt (or aren’t defensemen….)
Well, Sloan did play some forward this year…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 27, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Word on the street is that it’s not an emergency recall because we already have Sloan and Erskine as healthy scratches, but I’m going to need someone else to confirm.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Apr 27, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
If he can break the top 6 now he could do it in the regular season. Poti wasn’t the one taking his spot.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Apr 27, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe it’s a role thing? alzner in for poti (PK); sloan in for the 6th defenseman? just throwing darts at the wall.
by Natty Bumppo on Apr 27, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmm, I could see 7D, though I doubt BB would swing that way.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 27, 2010 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I very much do think that alzners ability on the PK is a large (the only?) reason why he was recalled rather than using Erskine or Sloan as fill-ins with Poti out.
During his time with the caps this season, Alzer averaged more TOI/60 (1.42) than either Erskine (1.14) or Sloan (0.99). AND, his GAON/60 at 4v5 (2.01) was tops on the team, whereas Sloan was 2nd worst (10.82) ahead of only laing. Erskine was nearly as unimpressive, at 8.57 (5th worst).
Poti is averaging 4:27 SHTOI/G this postseason. Those minutes CAN’T be recovered by the other D-men alone…the new body in the lineup is gonna have to take some. Alzner is an absolute slam dunk choice over Sloan or Erskine. I think if it had been any other D-man that had been injured, we would have stuck with either sloan or erskine but they just aren’t capable of filling the PK need that the Poti injury opened up.
by GusDaMan on Apr 27, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Couldn’t it be that they didn’t expect to be playing Montreal, and if they were going to face Montreal that Sloan is a good enough skater to step in if needed?
The only reason I see for them to make this call-up is because they don’t trust Erskine to skate with the Habs, and that they have seen Sloan get burned. It is possible that Bruce and GMGM thought that Alzner wasn’t that big an upgrade over Sloan and this series has shown them that TS isn’t quite the guy they thought he was if they need him for big minutes.
Beards are the zenith of manliness. First, they are scratchy and unpleasant to womenfolk. Second, they look awesome. Third, if you have something tasty for lunch, you can enjoy the smell all the way until dinnertime. - RMNB
This recall was made with an eye towards penalty killing, plain and simple. Alzer is light-years better option to take some of those minutes that poti occupied than either of the guys in the press box right now. Seemy post abovefor stats….it’s not even close.
post deadline limit on non injury call ups? eight other dmen, 7 with no waiver options, who helped the team to the best record in the NHL?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 27, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
you asked, so i and other are giving you our opinions. no kool aid involved. if you think there is some conspiracy here, then why dont you provide your assessment?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 27, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
provided above. we could and should have sorted this out earlier, and it’s a shame we’re having to call KK up “cold” for the most important game of the year. my assessment is that Sloan and Erskine, troopers they may be, should not have been playing the last month during our Conference-cum-President’s-Trophy Victory Tour if we had no intention to insert them at Zero Hour.
by Pi on Apr 27, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s not “cold.” He’s been logging upward of thirty minutes of playoff hockey for the past two weeks, and, by my stats below, doing it quite productively.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
NHL-pace cold. I’m on aboard with him playing over 89 and 4, dont get me wrong.
by Pi on Apr 27, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
this is all conjecture. if he does not play, then no big deal (i suppose). if he leapfrogs 89 and 4 and gets a sweater tonight, then I will be puzzled.
by Pi on Apr 27, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
pretty sure that will be the case regardless. hopefully, with future quandries ahead of me for this playoff season…….
by Pi on Apr 27, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m convinced that one reason Alzner didn’t play well is that they continually played him on his off hand. That really does make a difference for a d-man. It’s harder for a lefty to play on the right side, and particularly so if he hasn’t done it regularly. Alzner hasn’t. If he’s brought up and put with Carlson, they could be a dynamic duo.
Despite the purported mishandling and “yo-yoing”, he is going to bring energy and kabong (and some chemistry, and some penalty killing.) Two things that this team desperately needs to bring for 60 minutes on Wednesday.
I’d be surprised if he brang anything near kabong.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Relative to Flash, he brings Kabong. Ok.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Apr 27, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Relative to Flash. Marty St. Louis brings kabong.
Alzner doesn’t deliver crunching hits, but he will get in your way, knock the puck off your stick, and get it going out of the zone. Effective in many ways.
Plus he doesn’t take penalties… for a defensive defensman to have such low penalty totals is astonishing.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 27, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s had one ES goal and four assists total this playoff run and three of those on the power play, the fourth on an empty netter.
In the series-clinching game against the (admittedly terrible) Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Hershey allowed exactly 7 SOG. One in the first period, four in the second, two in the third. Neuvy let that first shot go through, and Alzner was on ice for that goal.
In their most recent game against the only-slightly-better Albany River Rats, Karl had three assists – two on the power play, one on the empty netter.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
And this guy rarely gets called for a penalty. 51 total NHL games, 10 PIM, 56 games in Hershey 10 PIM, 7 playoff games in Hershey this year, only one minor…
That can help a lot.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 27, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, if they pair Carlson/Alzner, here’s to hoping it’s the beginning of a legendary pairing (at the NHL level now).
And get well soon, Poti. Hope he considers a visor (he doesn’t wear one, right?).
"Stop hating and just accept the new Red Jesus into our life." --F&B on 14
Tom Poti doesn’t wear a visor…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 27, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t say they protect the face “well” as Eric Belanger can attest. But they certainly protect the face better than no visor at all.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Apr 27, 2010 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
And it was just announced the Flyers’ Laperriere is likely to miss the rest of the playoffs due to a similar injury (puck to eyebrow, caused brain contusion/concussion). I liked what he said after he got stitches above his eye…that he wanted to see his kids grow up w/ both eyes, so he’d be wearing a visor from now on.
"Stop hating and just accept the new Red Jesus into our life." --F&B on 14
How weirdly serendipitous this is
All the complaints about Poti during the season (and I include myself amongst the number of haters) and more complaints about the yo-yoing of Alzner (I do not include myself in that number though), seamlessly flowing into the repalcing our best post-season d-man with one who couldn’t crack the top six.
I think I see Oliver Stone’s conspiracy stirring hand in this.
A danger to myself and others on the ice
It’s not a conspiracy, it’s a seeming lack of strategy.
Fehr and Flash. . . they're like those Biblical twins, Gallant and. . . Goofeth.
Or just one of those marvelous coincidences.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 27, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m pretty sure that if many of us on this blog, who are relatively uninformed compared to people in the Caps’ front office, foresaw this possibility, then they ought to have foreseen it as well.
Put more simply, it was clear from early on this season that Alzner was a better player than either Erskine or Sloan, with infinitely higher upside. Yes, Alzner had his struggles. He also only 21 years old.
Almost all of us were frustrated by the Caps’ unwillingness to shit or get off the pot when it came to Alzner, and their seeming preference for Erskine and Sloan. Now we’re reaping the rewards of their lack of planning.
Fehr and Flash. . . they're like those Biblical twins, Gallant and. . . Goofeth.
The weird need to carry so many D all year that weren’t named Alzner or Carlson has been surprising throughout. I understand the “playing 25+ minutes a night down in Hershey is better than 15 minutes a night up here” argument to a degree…but at some point you would have thought they’d want to get him acclimated against NHL opposition, you know, like Carlson has.
I gotta feel like if there’s any positive to him coming in cold at least he’ll be with Carlson who #1 he’s comfortable with, and #2 has been playing very solidly. We’ll see tomorrow. All in.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Apr 27, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as we’re bringing people up why not MP while we’re at it?
He lives to make plays and that’s what the Caps sorely needed yesterday – we’ve certainly got the cannons/ammo out there already.
If Erskine is a bad matchup for this team, we may look back and say MP was a potential good matchup. Unless we only bring him up to marvel at how he doesn’t get crushed through the ice by bigger teams… eh, too late to happen at this point.
Yep, MP and Walker to go along with Alzner, I don’t see why we wouldn’t crush them tomorrow night if that were the case. Fresh legs who work hard every game. Giving their D a different look.
~~~ R0cK D@ R3D ~~~
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Apr 27, 2010 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
With his call ups this year, MP has been instant offense and probably not a defensive liability against the tiny HABS…kind of surprised the CAPS haven’t made that call for tomorrow. It’s do or die, so I dont see how calling him up is a waste given the lack of production from others.
by Direction 87 on Apr 27, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions
P.S. This would be so much easier if Poti didn’t get hurt and Juice was healthy
~~~ R0cK D@ R3D ~~~
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Apr 27, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Because we only get 4 non-emergency call ups while the Bears are playing. Alzner is one. We’re not going to waste another on MP, given that the Bears and Caps both hope to be playing until June.
Fehr and Flash. . . they're like those Biblical twins, Gallant and. . . Goofeth.
Favorites? You call us favorites??? Has anyone seen the banners in Montreal? Anyone seen ours? We’re mutts…fighting dogs..and tomorrow we take what we got coming to us…
What do past accomplishments have to do with current or future achievements?
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Apr 27, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It seems like outside of DC and Philly (according to BSH) everyone is super afraid of Washington, fwiw.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
by red army line on Apr 28, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
interesting
Given that there is already some ‘depth’ on the blueline, and the Caps problem seems to be at 2nd line center, I wonder if calling up Aucoin was discussed. He’s probably at least got as much skill as the current centermen on the roster below 19. Just a thought.
by The Jade Donkey on Apr 27, 2010 6:26 PM EDT reply actions
Poor Tim Leone had no idea until he got to Albany a few hours ago. He’s depressed. Last tweet had Hershey down 2-0 tonight.
Alzner was the player Hershey could least afford to lose right now.
10 minutes ago via web
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Hey, I Found The Bright Side!
Then he’s the one the Caps need the most!
by The Jade Donkey on Apr 27, 2010 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Lord knows Hershey needs an 11th Calder more than the Caps need a first Stanley.
by TFG on Apr 27, 2010 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Think the Alzner for Poti swap is unfavorable for us
As much as Poti was maligned during the regular, he’s done a very solid job in the playoffs for us.
But we know what Alzner brings to the table. Heady plays born of swift decisions. A suffocating presence along the boards…And when he’s on, near Rod Langway-like positioning. In short, a well-rounded game to effectively replace a top-four D.
Not trying to be inflammatory, but how did you come to those conclusions? What exactly has Alzner done at the NHL level? His stats are largely unremarkable; according to Puck Prospectus, he’s one of only 6 players who have suited up for the Caps this season with a negative GVT (-0.1). That’s lower than the likes of Morrison, Erskine and Tyler Sloan. He had 5 assists, no goals and was -2 in 21 games this season. Not saying these numbers tell the whole story, but I’m not sure where the Langway comparisons are appropriate. He may well develop into a top pairing D-man eventually, but his promise and the hype that follows him aren’t going to matter in tomorrow’s game.
That’s lower than the likes of Morrison, Erskine and Tyler Sloan.
Unfortunately for Alzner, he was often paired with either Erskine or Sloan. This didn’t help his stats.
Admittedly, his play during his call-up this year was much less impressive than the early portion of his stint last year. That being said, I agree with the above-made assertion – you just have to read the “when he’s on” caveat. Alzner is the kind of guy who’ll play 25 minutes and you’ll never notice him because nothing bad happens when he’s on the ice. He’s like a shorter Schultz who can actually skate.
Fehr and Flash. . . they're like those Biblical twins, Gallant and. . . Goofeth.
Ty Sloan got a couple games at F with MP and got a few points out of that. I think that alone tips the GVT scales.
I waited all year for this?
And GVT is an aggregate stat, not a rate-based stat, giving Sloan an advantage with 40 games to Alzner’s 21.
I wasn’t necessarily trying to make the assertion that Sloan is better than Alzner – I just don’t understand why it seems like people are so excited about him being in the lineup.
I know GVT that is an aggregate stat but the point was his GVT is negative whereas Sloan’s is positive. If you extrapolate that negative number on the basis of more games played, you’re going to get a worse GVT, not a better one. Obviously you can make a case that the relationship is not necessarily linear, but if your argument is simply that Sloan has played more games, then this is the simplifying assumption we have to make.
To address the point about his numbers being depressed due to being paired with Erskine or Sloan – well why doesn’t that show up in the relative GVT comparisons? Assuming Alzner’s -0.1 comes playing with 100% with Erskine, doesn’t that mean Erskine’s GVT adjusted for the 21 games he didnt play with Alzner was higher than Erskine’s season GVT (it was something like 0.2 or 0.3)?
by Strong Side on Apr 28, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I just don’t understand why it seems like people are so excited about him being in the lineup.
My guess? We know Sloan stinks, Alzner might not; ergo reason for hope.
haha ok
I just don’t see him being the difference in the game (i.e. his impact vis a vis Poti’s in Games 1-6), but I’d love to be wrong
DON'T WORRY FANS!!!
I WILL WIN THE CUP IN NHL 10!!!!!! All kidding aside, the Colts struggled for a few years and finally pulled through. Rome wasn’t built in three disappointing playoffs. They still do not live up to expectations and I fully expect the same for the Caps, but We will get at least one!
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