Report: Karl Alzner and Noah Juulsen held out of Habs training camp.

This is definitely not the start you were hoping for in training camp if you're a fan of the Montreal Canadiens. 

The Habs hit the ice for their second day of training camp on Saturday and in spite of the fact that things have just barely gotten underway there were 2 notable absences from the ice. Both veteran defensemen Karl Alzner and young and up and coming defenseman Noah Juulsen were absent from practice and we would later learn that both men had been held out due to what are currently being described as relatively minor ailments. 

In the case of Juulsen, Sportsnet's Montreal Canadiens insider Eric Engels is reporting that a mere headache was enough to keep the 22 year old out of training camp today, but there may have been good reason. Juulsen is coming off a significant head injury the season prior and it is believed that the Habs felt that exercising caution here would be more valuable than getting in a few extra hours of repetitions for the young blue liner. The former Habs first round draft choice is expected to take on a bigger role this season so it makes perfect sense that they would choose to be careful here, and no doubt the fan base will appreciate their care with Juulsen.

As for Alzner things in this case sound like they may be a little more serious. According to a report from the very same Eric Engels it appears that Alzner suffered some form of injury to his groin on the very first day of training camp, the injury taking place after Alzner collided with an unidentified teammate during a drill.

"Karl Alzner out of action today," wrote Engels. "He had a collision with a teammate in a drill yesterday and came back up limping. Looked like knee or a charlie horse, but he said it's his groin. Coach Julien will update on the severity of the injury when he speaks at 2:15pm."

Julien has since provided that update and has confirmed that Alzner is indeed sidelined with a groin injury. When pressed as to the severity of the injury Julien would only state that the Habs are taking things day to day with Alzner, which at this point of the season could mean absolutely anything. Alzner has been a major sore point for Habs fans who feel the veteran defenseman has been vastly overpaid for a player that has effectively been relegated to the American Hockey League, and although Alzner was hoping for a bounce back season this could prove to be a setback.