Did the Canadiens Make a Rare Error with Alexandre Texier?
Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes signed forward Alexandre Texier to a one-year, US$1-million contract on November 23, 2025, after his release from the St. Louis Blues. This move initially seemed promising as Texier, aged 26, quickly made an impact with the team.
From Top Line to Healthy Scratch
In his first 25 games with the Canadiens, Texier posted impressive statistics of 7 goals and 9 assists, totaling 16 points. Based on this performance, Hughes rewarded him with a two-year contract extension worth US$5 million. However, the situation has taken a dramatic turn since then.
Texier has recently been relegated from playing on the No. 1 line alongside stars Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield to being a healthy scratch for consecutive games against the Washington Capitals and San Jose Sharks. Before this demotion, he had accumulated 7 goals and 11 assists, totaling 18 points in 31 games with the Canadiens.
Questioning the Contract Decision
This development has sparked debate among fans and analysts: did Hughes act too hastily in offering Texier the lucrative extension? The issue was explored in a bonus episode of the Hockey Inside/Out Show, where The Gazette's Stu Cowan discussed the matter with former Canadiens teammates and 1986 Stanley Cup champions Chris Nilan and Rick Green.
The show delved into whether this represents a rare misstep by the Canadiens' management, given Texier's sudden decline in playing time despite his earlier contributions. The discussion highlighted concerns about player evaluation and contract timing in the fast-paced NHL environment.
As the Canadiens navigate this situation, it raises broader questions about roster management and investment in player development. The team's performance and Texier's future role will be closely watched in the coming games.
