Kent Hughes must offer Alexandre Texier a new contract

Mid-November 2025: Doug Armstrong and the Blues offer Alexandre Texier to the other 31 NHL teams, and no one dares pay even a seventh-round pick for his services.

November 20, 2025: Doug Armstrong decides to waive Texier.

November 21, 2025: We learn that no team has asked for Texier; no one wanted Texier in return for nothing because he cost $2.1 million in 2025-26, before being eligible for full autonomy.

November 22, 2025: Doug Armstrong and Alexandre Texier's agent agree to terminate Texier's contract; Texier is free as a bird.

November 23, 2025: Kent Hughes offers Texier a $1 million contract, which he accepts without hesitation. There's talk of a $1.1 million cut for Texier, who might have decided to make more money playing for the Blues' club-school.

But Texier wanted to play in the NHL… and Montreal was at the top of his list.

When he arrived in Montreal, Texier didn't even play in the team's first game; instead, he watched from the bridge with the injured players. But since Martin St-Louis put his trust in him, Texier has been taking advantage. And it culminated this week at the Bell Centre!

The Frenchman has just collected six points—including four goals—in 26 hours. He picked up a goal and two assists on Wednesday at the Bell Centre, then scored a hat trick against the Panthers yesterday. Signing two RDS lenses in two nights is rare.

The guy's been living a daydream for the past few days.

Texier has gone from the fourth line to the first. For the past few games, he's been complementing Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. His teammates like him, and his positive attitude makes all the difference, according to Martin St-Louis himself.

In 22 games with the Habs, Texier has 14 points and a plus-6 rating. He has never produced at such a rate in his previous seasons with the team.

And I haven't even mentioned his efficiency and showmanship in shootouts.

A new contract?
Texier's recent success has raised an important question: should Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton extend Texier's contract? If not, the Frenchman will be as free as a bird in July.

Texier wasn't worth $2.1 million to NHL executives everywhere. He was worth about $1 million. I'd like to think he's doing well right now, but that doesn't mean he's become a $4 or $5 million guy!

After getting 20 points in 34 games in 2022-23, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard had to settle for a $1.1 million contract for 2023-24 (and 2024-25). However, he was RFA, not UFA.

After his first NHL game, Ryan Poehling was our savior in Montreal. And you know the rest…

And for a few weeks, Jake Evans was apparently worth $4 or $5 million per season last year! And yet…

A few games don't make a career. When you're lucky—and Texier is right now—it makes everything better.

In short, we must be cautious and patient with Texier. He's got a golden opportunity on the first line right now, but the day we fight for the Stanley Cup, he won't be alongside the captain and Cole Caufield.

And as much as Texier can let his talent shine on the top six, he's much more suited to the bottom six.

Kirby Dach and Patrik Laine will return to action in the coming weeks, but it's not clear whether they'll be around next season. And Alex Newhook will never be a first-line player.

So, let's leave Texier on one for as long as it lasts, and if it lasts through to the playoffs – and works out in the playoffs – we'll still offer Texier a nice contract.

But in the meantime, I'd like to see Kent Hughes go to Texier's agent and say, “We love your client and we're prepared to offer him $1.5 million for each of the next two seasons.”

I'd even go as high as $1.75 million…

After one or two tough games, I have a feeling that the main interested party will call his agent and tell him to sign the pieces of paper. And everyone will be happy!

To be able to count on a guy like Texier to help out in the top six is a luxury for any organization. As long as expectations remain realistic…

Extension

You may find me a bit of a demagogue, but I don't care.

Seeing Doug Armstrong throw Alexander Texier in the trash as if he wasn't capable of playing in the NHL, and then Texier producing like he's currently doing in Montreal, I can only ask myself one more question: do you trust Doug Armstrong to build Team Canada (Olympic Games)? #TalentEvaluator

Cirelli before Bedard and Scheifele? Harley, Doughty, and Parayko before Schaefer (and Matheson at the limit)? In 2026!

You'll be judged on the Canadian team's results, Doug… and Alexandre Texier's in Montreal!