Marc Bergevin wasn’t able to land any of the top unrestricted free agents as free agency opened up, seeing Matt Duchene, Artemi Panarin, and others signing in other cities. Instead he decided to target restricted free agent Sebastian Aho with an offer sheet.
On Andrew Shaw and Nicolas Deslauriers’s departure
” First, I want to thank Andrew Shaw and Nicolas Deslauriers for what they’ve done for the Montreal Canadiens. ” – Marc Bergevin
« Tout d’abord, je tiens à remercier Andrew Shaw et Nicolas Deslauriers pour leur contribution aux Canadiens de Montréal. » – Bergevin#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 1, 2019
“Trading Andrew Shaw gave us cap space this year but also going forward and that has value to us.” – Marc Bergevin
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) July 1, 2019
On Sebastian Aho
“Sebastian Aho accepted our offer. So he wants to come to Montreal.” – Marc Bergevin
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 1, 2019
“We felt Sebastian at 21 years old was the right target for us.” – Marc Bergevin
« À 21 ans, on sentait que Sebastian était la bonne cible pour nous. » – Marc Bergevin#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 1, 2019
On the offer sheet itself
#Habs Bergevin: “When you make this type of offer, you look where they are vulnerable. The bonus structure was part of the strategy.”
— Chantal 🐾 (@pucksnlife) July 1, 2019
“The first 12 months is the key” – Marc Bergevin on the offer sheet.
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 1, 2019
“When you make an offer like that, we saw a vulnerable position. The offer, with the compensation and the youngsters we have, we realized that it was the best chance we had to get the player.” – Marc Bergevin#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 1, 2019
“This shows to our fans that Geoff Molson and ownership, we want to be a good hockey team. We want to win. That’s the risk we’re taking. That’s the business we’re in.” – Marc Bergevin#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 1, 2019
Marc Bergevin says he didn’t go to the next threshold on the offer because Aho accepted the one he presented and that it wouldn’t make that much of a difference in Carolina matching or not. He says the signing bonus over next 12 months is the real threat to Carolina matching.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 1, 2019
“Carey and Shea are the pillars of our team. Remember that we’re also sending a message to our players.” – Marc Bergevin
« Carey et Shea sont les piliers de notre équipe. Il ne faut pas oublier qu’on envoie aussi un message à nos joueurs. » – Marc Bergevin#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 1, 2019
On potentially upsetting the other NHL GMs with the move
Bergevin on the thoughts from other GMs about offersheets “It’s within the CBA”
— Costa Rontzocos (@Rontzeeez) July 1, 2019
“I’m responsible to Geoff Molson and our fans” – Marc Bergevin on whether he’s worried about the reaction from other GMs.
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) July 1, 2019
On other plans for free agency
Marc Bergevin says he would be willing to use the 10% offseason cap cushion to shop while he waits for the Canes decision, but didn’t sound all that enthusiastic about doing it. Of course, if he signs someone and the Canes don’t match the Canadiens would be well over the cap.
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 1, 2019
