The Montréal Canadiens fell short of the ultimate goal, losing in the Conference Finals to the Stanley Cup-winning Carolina Hurricanes. Despite the disappointing finish, the Habs saw many players start to find their stride last season. One of these players is Alexandre Texier, who could be a great breakout player for the Canadiens next season.
Before coming to Montréal
Texier started his NHL career with the Columbus Blue Jackets after they drafted him 45th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. He didn't make the jump to the NHL until the 2018-19 season, on loan from Kalpa in Finland. Texier only played two games with the Blue Jackets that season, putting up one point.
He alternated between the Cleveland Monsters, Columbus' AHL team, and the big show until 2023-24, when he played most of the season in Columbus. That season, Texier had a career-high 30 points. Through his time with the Blue Jackets, he continued to improve his point totals each season.
After the best points season of his career, Texier was traded to the St. Louis Blues, where his career floundered. During nearly two years with the Blues, he only dressed for 39 regular-season games, earning 12 points. He never truly fit in the St. Louis Blues lineup.
Things weren't going great for the Montréal Canadiens in the 2025-26 season when Texier's contract was terminated with the Blues. Elliotte Friedman mentioned him as a potential injury replacement in Montréal on November 20, 2025, and the Canadiens signed the Frenchman to a one-year deal just three days later.
Texier will be rising to the occasion
Brought in during a time when the Canadiens were dealing with a lot of injuries, Texier's role was to fill the bottom six and help with the man-games lost. He did do that, but he also rose to the occasion. Texier immediately made an impact, putting up 11 points in 21 games. He found his stride again, getting back to his gritty game and strong forechecking.
Alexandre Texier signs 2x$2.5M extension with #GoHabsGo
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) January 14, 2026
Only a few months into his time with the Canadiens, he earned another deal, this time a two-year deal worth $2.5 million AAV. Right before this extension, he was the second-highest-producing player on the Habs in the past ten games. At the end of the season, he had solidly found himself a spot on the third line and was considered an important factor going into the Canadiens' playoff run.
Going into the first year of his new contract, it's time for Texier to step up even further in his role with the Canadiens.
Texier had 20 points last season, not breaking any career milestones in goals, assists, or points. However, throughout his career, Texier, when in a good spot, does consistently improve his points production. The downturn in points with the Blues was likely an anomaly, not a trend. Instead, the Canadiens can expect Texier to continue to improve, earn more games, and therefore have more ability to contribute on the score sheet.
Texier's breakout season doesn't only mean scoring goals or putting up points. His strongest skills are puck handling and forechecking, things that don't always show up on the score sheet. A solid season with a team that knows his strengths and uses them accordingly could lead to Texier having a breakout season. At just 26 years of age, he's still got time to come into the player he's meant to be.
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