Bergevin: 'Very unlikely' cap-strapped Canadiens make move by deadline

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin doesn't anticipate his team will be very active on the trade market ahead of the April 12 deadline.

Bergevin said it's difficult to make a trade due to the team's tight salary-cap situation, and any possible move has to be a pure hockey deal.

"We have no cap space, so I mean it's money in, money out," Bergevin told reporters Thursday. "Expectation to do something at the deadline is probably very unlikely."

Montreal has just over $1 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly.

The Habs, along with the six other Canadian teams, face another significant hurdle when it comes to making a trade. Players must complete the mandated 14-day quarantine period upon crossing the U.S.-Canada border.

Bergevin said the quarantine rule won't impact the timing of a potential deal and circled back to the club's cap crunch being the main issue.

"We do have conversations daily, but at the end of the day you go back to always the cap," he said. "Once you become a team against the cap, it's money in money out unless you start giving up assets."

He added: "Honestly, I'm not worried about it. I like our team, we'll make the best of the situation of the condensed schedule for the rest of the year, but I still like our team a lot."

The Canadiens won't play until at least March 30 after having four games postponed due to COVID-19 protocol. Montreal sits fourth in the North Division entering Thursday's action.

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