SB Nation DC - Capitals Re-Sign Defenseman Karl Alzner To Two-Year Cap Friendly Dealhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2011-07-15T15:13:53-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20412322011-07-15T15:13:53-04:002011-07-15T15:13:53-04:00Karl Alzner: 'There Was A Little Bit Left On The Table' During Contract Negotiations
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<p>Exactly two weeks after the free agency period began throughout the NHL, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> defenseman <span>Karl Alzner</span> finally signed with the team to a two-year contract worth $2.57 million. While the former restricted free agent (and final RFA that will be on the Caps' final roster next season) is relieved to have contract negotiations out of the way, Alzner seemed disappointed with the overall terms.</p>
<p>"For me personally, there was a little bit left on the table, but at the same time, it's not too often where you get exactly what you're asking for," Alzner said. "We definitely had to come down a bit and Washington had to go up a bit. We're happy we got something done. That was the main thing."</p>
<p>Alzner established himself as one of the best young defensemen in the NHL last season during his first full season. The 22-year-old appeared in all 82 games and earned 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) along with a plus-14 rating. Alzner and his defensive partner, <span>John Carlson</span>, ascended to the top of the Caps' depth chart last season and became the team's best pairing. Yet, Alzner and the Caps could not agree on a deal and according to Alzner, there were no other offers available from other teams, so it was either "take it or leave it."</p>
<p>"It's a big relief. I'm happy that it's done and I don't have to worry about it," Alzner said. "It would have been a different road if we would have not taken this and ended up going to try to figure out a new contract during next season or arbitration. I wanted to get a contract done and just have that in the back of my mind."</p>
<p>When asked about his newest teammates, specifically goaltender <span>Tomas Vokoun</span> (which he called a "steal of a deal"), Alzner was excited about the team that Washington will put on the ice next season and is focused on winning. But he will also try to boost his own play and earn the lucrative contract that he is looking for.</p>
<p>"A lot of guys, their ambition is to be able to play really well and be rewarded for that play, winning a Stanley Cup and being able to sign a bigger ticket than your one before. That's not the main focus, obviously, but it is something that you think about. Hopefully, next one, I play good [sic] these next two years and next contract is something to see, so I guess it's up to me now."</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/7/15/2277698/karl-alzner-washington-capitals-contractAdam Vingan2011-07-15T12:59:17-04:002011-07-15T12:59:17-04:00Karl Alzner Acknowledges Taking Less Money In New Contract
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<p>Karl Alzner entered this offseason as a very good, very young NHL player ready for his first big payday. What he ended up with was a two-year $2.57 million contract that is leaving those around the NHL scratching their heads. Let's be clear, over a million dollars a year is nothing to sneeze at, but many out there thought he would be worth much more. Alzner acknowledged that he likely took a little bit of a paycut in accepting the Capitals contract offer.</p>
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<p>"Looking at comparables, maybe I did sacrifice a bit there," Alzner explained. "Sometimes you have to do that, you have to make a nice friendly bridge right now and then in the long run things will work out for you and for both sides when it comes down to the next deal.”</p>
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<p>So it looks like Alzner is trying to line himself up for a big <i>next</i> contract. That's great for the Capitals, and could be good for him if he is still playing well when this contract expires. But a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, so Alzner might have taken an unnecessary risk here by waiting for his next contract.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/7/15/2277513/karl-alzner-re-sign-capitals-reactionJordan Ruby2011-07-15T10:17:36-04:002011-07-15T10:17:36-04:00Capitals Re-Sign Defenseman Karl Alzner To Two-Year Cap Friendly Deal
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<p>The <a href="http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/07/karl-alzner-signed-to-two-year-deal-by-washington-capitals-63708.html">Capitals locked up Karl Alzner on Friday</a>, and the terms of the contract are pretty surprising. Alzner appears to have given the Caps a massive hometown discount, and has reportedly signs a two-year $2.57 million contract with the Caps.</p>
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<p class="bbpTweet">Cap hit on the Alzner deal is just under $1.3 mil. He will be paid $1.3 mil in '11-12 and $1.27 mil in '12-13. Total of $2.57 for two years.<span class="timestamp"><a title="Fri Jul 15 14:02:36 +0000 2011" href="http://twitter.com/#!/VogsCaps/status/91870282272354306">less than a minute ago</a> via <a href="http://twitter.com/devices" rel="nofollow">txt</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=91870282272354306"><img src="http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/favorite.png"> Favorite</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=91870282272354306"><img src="http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/retweet.png"> Retweet</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=91870282272354306"><img src="http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/reply.png"> Reply</a></span><span class="metadata"><span class="author"><a href="http://twitter.com/VogsCaps"><img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/404140600/Photo_3_normal.jpg"></a><b><a href="http://twitter.com/VogsCaps">Mike Vogel</a></b><br>VogsCaps</span></span></p>
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<p>I'm not sure how the Caps were able to retain Alzner at such a low price. They must have some pretty incriminating pictures of his agent in their possession. But this is tremendous news for the team, because there was a lot of concern that they would have to trade some of their stars to be able to afford re-signing Alzner. Now that his salary and cap hit is so low, they likely won't have to trade anyone to afford him.</p>
<p><i><b>We'll have plenty more on this signing later, but for now, check out <a href="http://www.japersrink.com/">Japers' Rink</a>. </b></i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/7/15/2337938/capitals-re-sign-defenseman-karl-alzner-to-two-year-cap-friendly-dealJordan Ruby