You can't fight fate

BROSSARD - Karl Alzner was one of the most highly sought after defensemen on the first day of free agency, and with the recent departures of Nathan Beaulieu and Alexei Emelin, the Canadiens' blue line needed a boost.

In short, bringing Alzner on board was a perfect match.
Of all the teams attempting to court the 28-year-old rearguard, though, the Canadiens were the only team Alzner and his wife visited with in person - and it didn't take long for Montreal to charm them and ultimately win them over.
"We actually only went to Montreal. We talked to a bunch of teams on the phone, but the only one we actually came to was Montreal. We had a pretty clear view of what we were looking for. Montreal was the only city we saw and I'm really glad we did because I got to see another side of the city that I hadn't seen from just playing there. It was pretty cool. Everyone we talked to was awesome. The city was awesome, the people are awesome, the facility was awesome," said Alzner via conference call on Saturday afternoon.

Shea Weber also played a part in Alzner's decision to join the Canadiens fold after the pair had a good conversation about the city.
"I talked with Shea the day we were leaving Montreal after our visit. You can get a lot of answers from management and coaches and trainers and all that, but to actually hear it from a guy in the dressing room and on the bench, someone who has a family, that's different. Those are things that I need to hear. He laid it out for me just straight up. It made everything feel good and comfortable and made the decision easier," shared Alzner.
From a hockey standpoint, the nine-year NHL veteran - who'd spent his entire career to date with the Washington Capitals - really loves what he sees from his brand new team.
"I think that the organization is willing to do everything and anything to help us achieve the goal. Just thinking about the possibility of winning with the Montreal Canadiens, it just puts a smile on your face. It makes me laugh just imagining how crazy things would be not just in Montreal, but in Canada. I want to win. That's the goal. That's why we play hockey and playing for the Canadiens is amazing. It's one of the Original Six teams, and not just any team. It's the one that everybody thinks of when they think about hockey," said Alzner, who found it particularly tough to digest being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs again this year with the Washington Capitals.
On the ice, Alzner sees big potential for the Canadiens. That was important to him when it came time to pick a new hockey home.
"There are a lot of really good players, really good young guys, one of the best goalies in the league, one of the best defensemen in the league. There are some pillars there that really get you excited about the future. I guess the exciting thing is that the future is already next season. There's already an opportunity next season to be a serious threat. That's something that excites me. We had good teams in Washington, but we couldn't quite get over that hump. I have the chance to get over that hump this year with a new club, so I took that," continued Alzner, who was selected fifth overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

In his mind, Claude Julien's contingent has a solid core and a ton of depth, two items that were definitely on his shopping list leading up to July 1.
"From talking to them, just hearing the direction that they want to go, players that they'd like to have come in, and styles of players they'd like to have come in, and then the willingness to go out there and fight for it. That's something that's incredibly important," said Alzner, who signed a five-year deal.
The talented blue-liner wasn't only seeking a good team on the ice, of course, but a solid one off it, too.
"One of the things that I've realized over the years is how important it is for a team and an organization to become a family, and to realize how much of a family it seems to be in Montreal, not just with the team, but with the whole community and the city. That's something that you really feel comfortable around. They sold me on a pretty good vision and I was happy to accept it. I could see myself playing with really anyone that they ask me to. I think if the chemistry on the team and the plan is crystal clear, it'll be easy to swap in between guys depending on who's going, who's not going, what team you're playing against or health," mentioned Alzner, who played in every regular-season game for the Capitals since 2010-11.
By choosing Montreal, the 6-foot-3 and 219-pound defender knows full well that he'll be playing in a demanding market.
"My impression is that there's a huge spotlight. There's an expectation, which is understandable, in a city that invests so much emotionally and financially into something. They're going to hope and expect a certain level in return. That's what I expect. I'm a guy who invests just as much into my team and my game. I'm looking to return that same thing there. I know that's going to be tough at times, but when things are going great, Montreal is the best place in the league to play," admitted Alzner.

"When you have that much support, that's a really great feeling. It's going to be really fun, I think. I'm looking forward to the challenge," added the Burnaby, BC native.
As for this new life that awaits the Alzner family… Destiny might just have something to do with it.
"Montreal was the first team that we saw and got a call from. I'm kind of a pretty big believer in fate. If that's the first place that comes up, it's usually a good sign and you really like to explore that option," concluded Alzner.