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The Montreal Canadiens have seemingly revived the career of a castaway from St. Louis, signing him to an in-season contract this year.
The Montreal Canadiens signed forward Alexandre Texier amid a desperate situation. The Canadiens had lost several regular forwards, leaving them bereft of NHL-caliber options.
Meanwhile, Texier had fallen off the St. Louis Blues’ radar. The team’s disappointing season led to several tough choices. One of them was parting ways with the 26-year-old. His demotion in St. Louis led to a mutual contract termination in November.
He had just one assist in eight games with the St. Louis before joining the Canadiens. In the 11 games since then, he has three goals and six points. That’s a huge contrast compared to his situation in St. Louis.
Texier scored a nifty goal against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night, in the Canadiens’ 4-1 loss.
Alex Texier now has 3 goals and 6 points in 11 games after being waiver claimed 😤🔥
The goal highlighted just how far Texier has come this season. It’s been a truly remarkable turnaround that promises to continue bearing fruit. In particular, Texier has found a home on the Canadiens’ third line. His chemistry with Josh Anderson and Jake Evans has made it easier for the former second-round pick to adjust to his new club.
The Canadiens hope the turnaround won’t be short-lived. The expectation is that Texier can find a permanent home in Montreal, as the Habs look to become serious playoff contenders.
Texier’s Roundabout Journey in the NHL
Texier is a native of France. As such, his European descent led him to find a place in the Finnish league, where he gained attention. That attention led him to become a second-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Draft. The Jackets picked him 45th overall.
It didn’t take long for the now-Canadiens forward to make the NHL. He made his debut in the 2018-19 season. But he didn’t earn a regular lineup spot until the following season. He played 36 games for Columbus in 2019-20, scoring six goals and 13 points.
That initial season led to him playing in parts of two more seasons, before earning a full-time role in 2023-24. That year, he appeared in 78 games, scoring 12 goals and 30 points. He was playing 15 minutes a night and looking promising.
However, the Blue Jackets moved him as he was due to become an RFA. The St. Louis Blues nabbed him for a fourth-round pick. Then, signed him to a two-year deal. The two parties terminated that deal so he could sign with the Canadiens.
Unfortunately, Texier never really panned out in St. Louis. He played just 31 games in 2024-25, scoring six goals and 11 points. This season’s terrible start led to the end of Texier’s time in St. Louis.
Fresh Start with Canadiens Was Just What Texier Needed
As is often the case, great professional players need a fresh start elsewhere. Situations sometimes deteriorate with one team or another. So, getting a chance to push the reset button makes an enormous difference.
That appears to be the case with Texier. The Canadiens afforded him a second chance, one he hasn’t passed up.
With the way the injury bug has hit Montreal this season, Texier was a welcome and cost-effective solution. His $1 million prorated deal could look like a steal by the end of the season.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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