ALEX BELZILE wasn’t extended by HABS and the cost to Belzile
Written by Fred Arshoff
Edited by Judy Pitcher
First of all I’d like to thank my editor Judy Pitcher for her excellent editing of my articles. A tip of my hat to you Judy.
As people know Alex Belzile became a UFA on July 1, 2023 and was not offered a contract extension by the HABS, which he had hoped for. The HABS felt they had a lot of young forwards and prospects in the system and would need room to bring them in. Belzile signed a two year contract with the New York Rangers. The first year is a two-way contract which pays him $775,000 in the NHL and $450,000 while he plays for the Hartford Wolf Pack , the Ranger’s AHL affiliate. The second year is a one-way deal which will pay him $775,000.
I understand Belzile’s point of view in signing with the Rangers, as it gave him two years of job security. More importantly there is a one-way deal in year two, paying him the NHL salary of $775,000 even when he is playing in the AHL. During the 2022-23 season he was on a two-way contract paying him only $250,000 while with the Laval Rocket. At 32 he decided to take the extra security and higher pay, as any of us would.
After Belzile signed with the Rangers and the HABS were hit with injuries, it opened up spaces to call up younger prospects like Mitchell Stephens and Emil Heineman. They would not have had that opportunity had Alex Belzile remained. Who could have foreseen the HABS being hit with a record amount of injuries for the 3rd straight year.
So far in the 2023-24 season Alex Belzile has only played for the Hartford Wolf Pack, where he has 11 goals 17 assists for 28 points in 30 games and is 0 on the +/- stat. He also has accumulated 22 minutes in penalties.
In closing I’d like to wish Alex Belzile the best of luck as he continues his hockey career.
SOURCE
Alex Belzile salary and stats
https://www.capfriendly.com/players/alex-blezile
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Montreal Sports 