Alexandre Texier hoping for a fresh start with the Canadiens
Alexandre Texier doesn’t want to talk about what appeared to be an acrimonious divorce from the St. Louis Blues.
Instead, following a whirlwind few days, he simply is seeking a fresh start with the Canadiens after
signing a one-year, US$1-million contract on Sunday
and practising with the team for the first time Monday at the CN Sports Complex.
“No matter what, you’ve always got something to prove,” the 26-year-old French native told The Gazette. “I’ll have something to prove now, even if everything goes well. We have to prove again and again. That’s part of the NHL.
“I’m a Montreal Canadien. What’s in the past is in the past. I don’t want to look back. I want to stay positive. There’s a lot of things (that happened in St. Louis). The most important thing is me and I’m playing the game I love. Now I’m here and I get the chance to do that.”
Texier, 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds, was in his second season with the Blues but was limited to eight games and produced only one assist. He hasn’t played since Nov. 6, at Buffalo.
He was assigned to AHL Springfield last Friday but refused to report. He was placed on unconditional waivers, terminating his contract and becoming an unrestricted free agent. Dan Milstein, his Detroit-based agent, said nine teams contacted him. Ottawa, Buffalo and Vancouver reportedly were among the other clubs showing interest.
While Texier might end up being a one-year experiment and will probably fill a bottom-six forward role in Montreal, he’ll add depth to a team that has been hit hard by injuries to forwards
,
and Patrik Laine.
Texier is a versatile player who can be used at centre or wing. He can also play on special teams. But as the Canadiens embark on a three-game road trip this week — beginning Wednesday night in Utah — head coach Martin St. Louis said he doesn’t know when Texier will make his Montreal debut. Or which players he’ll be teamed with.
“He’s got a high level of skill,” St. Louis said. “He needs to get acclimated with the group. He needs to figure out how we play collectively, on both sides of the puck. There’s a process for that. I don’t know how fast he comes into our lineup. And when he does, I don’t know where he’s going to play yet. But we like the potential of the player or else we wouldn’t have signed him.”
The Canadiens broke a five-game (0-4-1) losing skid on
Saturday night, against Toronto
.
On Monday, Texier spelled Nick Suzuki on a line with Zachary Bolduc and Cole Caufield. Winger Joshua Roy, who was a healthy scratch against the Maple Leafs, practised with the Canadiens on Monday but was returned to AHL Laval before the team flew to Salt Lake City. Roy has failed to collect a point in three games with Montreal. That makes Texier the only extra forward.
Texier played with Bolduc in St. Louis and was Josh Anderson’s former teammate in Columbus, having been selected by the Blue Jackets in the second round (45th overall) in 2017.
“I didn’t expect anything, to be honest,” Texier said. “After everything was done I talked to a couple of teams. Montreal was one of them. It was my first option. They’re a young team that plays fast. It was the excitement I got from this. I’ve just got to wait for my chance. I’ll be ready. I’m feeling good, fresh. My legs are good. I know they play hard.
“Obviously I’m anxious to play. I feel like it has been a while. I’m here to play hockey. That’s what I do for a living. I’m excited. It’s good that everything happened so quickly. That’s what you want as a player. You don’t want to wait four days at home doing nothing. Get right into practice and hit the road. I think it might be a good thing that I’m not (in Montreal) to start. It’s way different. Just the media and everything. I’ve got to get used to that and stay positive, no matter what.”
Texier has 240 NHL games to his credit and has scored 40 goals and 91 points. He has represented France in numerous international tournaments, including four IIHF world championships. He also played in two world junior tournaments.
Meanwhile, defenceman
, who was promoted to the Canadiens on Sunday and will accompany the team on the road trip, has been named AHL player of the week after scoring three goals and seven points in three games with Laval.
