Superstitions always have been an important part of Karl Alzner’s life, but he decided it might be time for a change.
After his demotion to Hershey of the American Hockey League last month, the defenseman rid himself of some quirky tendencies — and thinks he will be a better player because of it.
“I spent so much energy focusing on those things that maybe, yeah, [it did hurt my focus],” Alzner said Friday. “When I go on the ice now, I just feel like I’m only thinking about the game and not whether I have my glove off at puck drop. I’m not thinking about those things. I can just play.”
The Washington Capitals recalled Alzner on Friday, and the organization’s top prospect entering this season hopes his latest stay in the minors will be his last. He has played 27 games for the Caps this year, with one goal and three assists.
Toward the end of his most recent stint with the club, Alzner’s play declined. Both he and coach Bruce Boudreau wondered publicly if he worried too much about when he might be sent back to Hershey because, when the team is healthy, there is not enough room for Alzner’s salary.
With captain Chris Clark likely out for the season after wrist surgery, Alzner’s stay likely will be determined solely by the quality of his play.
“It was frustrating because this is where I want to be the whole season,” Alzner said. “At the same time, I think going down to Hershey was probably the best thing for me at this stage. I don’t think my game was at its best during that last little I was here.
“I relaxed so much more before games, and I played four really good games, I thought. Now I’m back here and I feel a lot more free than I used to.”
Kronwall claimed
The Caps made another move to bolster their defense corps Friday, claiming Staffan Kronwall off re-entry waivers from Toronto. Kronwall, a 26-year-old defenseman from Sweden, played 18 games for the Maple Leafs last season but had spent this season with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
When the Leafs tried to add Kronwall to their roster, the Caps grabbed him and will only have to pay half of his salary, a prorated portion of $500,000.
“Our pro scouts see some upside in this player,” general manager George McPhee said. “We’ve been tight on the [salary] cap all year, and this [is] an inexpensive way to add to our organization.”
Kronwall had seven goals and 25 points in 42 games for the Marlies this season. He was a ninth-round pick by Toronto in the 2002 draft. His arrival in the District is to be determined because of immigration issues that need to be worked out, but he will be placed on the 23-man roster.
“He’s a player who played real well his first year pro in North America and then has had some setbacks with injuries,” McPhee said. “He seems to be playing better this year — a puck-moving defenseman who might have some upside — so we’ll take a look.”
Injury updates
Forwards Brooks Laich and Viktor Kozlov did not practice Friday. McPhee said Kozlov will not play Saturday against Florida but is likely to return from a groin injury Wednesday at the New York Rangers.
Laich left Thursday’s game against Los Angeles with a leg contusion but returned to score a goal in the waning moments. Boudreau said Laich is “iffy” to play against the Panthers. If neither can play, the Caps would dress seven defensemen or recall a forward from Hershey.
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