Canadiens' Bergevin on free agency: 'I'm not going to chase players July 1'
The attention of the hockey world turns to the impending free agent frenzy with the conclusion of the 2015 NHL Draft, but don't expect the Montreal Canadiens to be big spenders when the floodgates open July 1.
Bergevin sounds like #Habs will have quiet summer: "We finished second overall with the team we had...I’m comfortable with the team we have”
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) June 27, 2015
Montreal has around $5.5 million in cap space with 11 forwards, six defensemen, and two goaltenders under contract. Most of the Canadiens' remaining cap space will likely go towards re-signing restricted free agent Alex Galchenyuk.
General manager Marc Bergevin doesn't plan on putting any of that money towards signing big names in July, in large part because he is satisfied with trade-deadline acquisitions Jeff Petry and Torrey Mitchell, who both recently signed contract extensions.
"Jeff and Torrey, that’s my July 1," Bergevin told reporters. "I'm not going to chase players July 1."
The Canadiens finished the regular season atop the Atlantic Division on the strength of Vezina and Hart Trophy-winner Carey Price despite tying the Pittsburgh Penguins with the fewest goals scored of any playoff-bound team. Montreal was knocked out of the postseason in the second round by the Tampa Bay Lightning.