The Ottawa Senators are actively exploring options to bolster their forward lineup, with recent developments putting skilled winger Alexandre Texier on their radar.
Contract Termination Sparks Interest
The St. Louis Blues made a significant move on Saturday, placing forward Alexandre Texier on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. This decision came after the 26-year-old French native declined an assignment to the Blues' American Hockey League affiliate on Friday. By agreeing to have his contract voided, Texier became an unrestricted free agent, despite having one year remaining on a deal worth $2.1 million U.S..
According to sources close to the situation, the Ottawa Senators were among the National Hockey League teams that quickly reached out to Texier's Detroit-based agent, Dan Milstein, to express interest in the available forward.
Multiple Teams in the Mix
The competition for Texier's services appears to be heating up. Milstein confirmed to the Ottawa Citizen that nine NHL teams initially expressed interest in his client. The field has since narrowed significantly, with the agent revealing, "We're down to two teams, and we expect a final decision sometime over the next 24 to 48 hours."
While Ottawa remains in contention, other potential destinations include the Buffalo Sabres, where senior advisor Jarmo Kekalainen—who originally drafted Texier while serving as general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets—could provide a familiar connection. The Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks have also reportedly shown interest in the versatile forward.
What Texier Brings to the Table
Alexandre Texier brings considerable experience and flexibility to any team willing to take a chance on him. Selected 45th overall in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft, he has compiled 240 career games between Columbus and St. Louis, recording 40 goals and 51 assists for 91 points throughout his NHL career.
Last season with St. Louis, Texier contributed six goals and five assists for 11 points in 31 games. This year, he managed one assist in eight appearances before the contract situation unfolded. His ability to play both center and wing positions makes him particularly valuable for teams seeking depth and flexibility up front.
For the Senators, this potential acquisition aligns with general manager Steve Staios's ongoing efforts to evaluate forward options since the regular season began. Ottawa has the cap space to accommodate such a move and could benefit from adding experienced depth to their roster, especially given the inevitable injury challenges that test every team's resources throughout the grueling NHL season.
A fresh start with a new organization might be exactly what Texier needs to rediscover his scoring touch and establish himself as a consistent NHL contributor.
