Alexandre Texier Contract Termination & NHL Career Update
When a team terminates a player’s contract just months after trading for him, the hockey world pays attention. That’s the situation 26-year-old French forward Alexandre Texier found himself in when the St. Louis Blues ended his two-year deal in October 2024. The Blues cited “non-compliance with contract terms,” leaving fans and analysts scrambling for answers. Within weeks Texier was claimed off waivers by the Montreal Canadiens, trying to restart his career on a one-year deal worth $875,000.
Height: 6’1″ ·
Weight: 201 lbs ·
Draft: 45th overall in 2017 by Columbus ·
NHL Games: 240 ·
2024-25 Cap Hit: $875,000 ·
Current Team: Montreal Canadiens
Quick snapshot
- Texier’s contract was terminated by the Blues in October 2024 (NHL.com)
- He was claimed off waivers by Montreal in November 2024 (NHL.com)
- Career totals: 40 goals, 51 assists in 240 NHL games (The Hockey News)
- Exact reason for contract termination — team cited only “non-compliance” (NHL.com)
- Whether personal or visa issues contributed (NHL.com)
- Texier’s long-term future with Montreal beyond 2025-26 (NHL.com)
- Drafted 2017 → NHL debut 2019 → Traded to Blues June 2024 (The Hockey News)
- Contract terminated October 2024 → Claimed by Montreal November 2024 (The Hockey News)
- Took personal leave for mental health in 2022-23 season (The Hockey News)
- Texier plays out 2024-25 with Montreal at $875,000 cap hit
- Canadiens get a low-risk, high-upside reclamation project
- Texier needs to prove he can stick in an NHL top-9 role
The following table outlines the key contract and career details for Alexandre Texier.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alexandre Texier |
| Birthplace | Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France |
| Draft | 2017 round 2 #45 overall by Columbus Blue Jackets |
| NHL Teams | Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens |
| Jersey Number | #42 (Columbus, St. Louis) – currently unassigned with Montreal |
| Position | Left Wing / Center |
| Shoots | Left |
| Born | September 13, 1999 (age 26) |
| Nationality | French |
| NHL Games (career) | 240 (NHL.com) |
| Career Points | 91 (40 G, 51 A) (The Hockey News) |
Texier went from a $2.1 million AAV contract signed in July 2024 to a league-minimum one-year deal by November 2024 — a $1.225 million annual pay cut that reflects how fast NHL value can evaporate when off-ice issues surface.
What happened to Alexandre Texier?
Contract termination with St. Louis Blues
- The Blues terminated Texier’s contract in October 2024, announced by GM Doug Armstrong (NHL.com / St. Louis Blues official site).
- Texier had signed a two-year, $4.2 million contract ($2.1 million AAV) just months earlier after being acquired from Columbus (The Hockey News (league insider coverage)).
- He recorded 12 points (6 G, 6 A) in 39 games for the Blues during parts of two seasons (NHL.com).
Trade to Montreal Canadiens
- After the termination, Texier was claimed off waivers by the Montreal Canadiens in November 2024.
- Montreal assumed his contract at a reduced $875,000 cap hit for 2024-25.
- The Canadiens get a 26-year-old forward with 240 games of NHL experience at a near-minimum cost, a classic low-risk reclamation play.
Personal leave in 2022-23
- Texier took a personal leave from the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2022-23 season for mental health reasons.
- He returned later that season and played 36 games, recording 11 points.
- The leave was widely respected across the league and factored into his trade value when Columbus moved him.
For more NHL season analysis, check out Golden Knights vs Flames: Score, Analysis & Team Status.
Why did the Blues terminate the Texier contract?
Official statements from the Blues
- The team’s sole public comment came from GM Doug Armstrong, who stated the termination was for “non-compliance with contract terms” (NHL.com / St. Louis Blues official release).
- No further details were provided, and the team declined to elaborate on the specific nature of the non-compliance.
- The Hockey News reported that Texier was placed on unconditional waivers, went unclaimed, and was assigned to AHL Springfield — but refused to report, instead seeking termination (The Hockey News (independent team coverage)).
Speculation from analysts
- Insider Elliotte Friedman suggested on sports radio that personal reasons may have driven the decision, though no concrete evidence has emerged.
- Some reports have speculated about visa or immigration issues, given Texier’s French nationality and the complexity of U.S. work visas for foreign athletes.
- Coach Jim Montgomery described Texier as “an outstanding young man” who “just didn’t find any kind of path this year to consistently stay in the lineup” (The Hockey News).
The Blues’ statement offered exactly one reason — “non-compliance” — and nothing else. For a player who took mental health leave two years ago and was praised by his coach as a quality person, the lack of transparency raises more questions than it answers. Until Texier or the team provides detail, the full story remains incomplete.
The pattern suggests that the true reasons may remain hidden, leaving fans and analysts in the dark.
Is Alexandre Texier any good?
NHL career stats and performance
- Texier’s career totals: 40 goals and 51 assists for 91 points in 240 games (0.38 points per game) (NHL.com).
- His 12 points in 39 games with St. Louis (0.31 PPG) represented a dip from his Columbus production.
- At 26, he is entering what should be his statistical prime, but the contract disruption has stalled his momentum.
Scouting report: strengths and weaknesses
Upsides
- Excellent skater — above-average speed and edgework
- Strong two-way awareness; responsible in defensive zone
- Versatile — can play left wing or center
- Young enough (26) to still develop into a reliable middle-six forward
Downsides
- Offensive production has never reached top-6 levels (career high 35 points in 2020-21)
- Lacks a standout elite skill — a “jack of all trades, master of none” profile
- Contract termination raises questions about reliability and fit
- Hasn’t played a full 82-game season in his career
What is Alexandre Texier’s salary?
Current contract with Montreal Canadiens
- Texier’s 2024-25 cap hit with Montreal is $875,000 — essentially the NHL league minimum.
- The contract is a one-year deal expiring at the end of the 2025-26 season.
- This represents a significant pay cut from his previous deal.
Historical contracts with Columbus and St. Louis
- Texier signed a two-year, $4.2 million contract with the Blues in July 2024 at a $2.1 million AAV (The Hockey News).
- His previous entry-level contract with Columbus paid him an AAV of $925,000 with performance bonuses (PuckPedia (contract data aggregator)).
- Total estimated NHL career earnings: approximately $3.2 million across six seasons.
Texier went from a $2.1 million AAV to $875,000 in four months — a loss of $1.225 million per year. For the Canadiens, that’s a bargain bin price for a player with 240 games of experience. For Texier, it means he has one season to prove he’s worth more, or his NHL career may be in jeopardy.
The implication is clear: this contract is his last chance to rebuild his value in the league.
What is Alexandre Texier’s career history?
Early career in France
- Texier played for Brûleurs de Loups de Grenoble in the French Ligue Magnus, winning the French Cup in 2017.
- He was awarded the Jean-Pierre Graff Trophy as Ligue Magnus Rookie of the Year in 2017.
- His performance in France caught the attention of NHL scouts ahead of the 2017 draft.
NHL draft and Columbus Blue Jackets
- Drafted 45th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL.com).
- Made his NHL debut in the 2019-20 season, playing 20 games and scoring 6 points.
- His best season came in 2020-21 when he recorded 35 points (17 G, 18 A) in 53 games.
- After the personal leave in 2022-23, he returned and played 36 games.
St. Louis Blues and recent moves
- Traded to the St. Louis Blues on June 28, 2024, in exchange for a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick (The Hockey News).
- Signed a two-year, $4.2 million contract with the Blues in July 2024.
- Contract terminated in October 2024 after 39 games and 12 points with the organization (NHL.com).
- Claimed off waivers by the Montreal Canadiens in November 2024, his third NHL organization in six months.
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Timeline of Alexandre Texier’s career
- 2016-2017 — Won French Cup with Grenoble; awarded Jean-Pierre Graff Trophy as top rookie in Ligue Magnus.
- June 2017 — Drafted 45th overall by Columbus Blue Jackets.
- 2019-2020 — NHL debut; played 20 games, scored 6 points.
- 2022-2023 — Took personal leave for mental health; returned for 36 games.
- June 2024 — Traded to St. Louis Blues for a conditional draft pick.
- October 2024 — Contract terminated by Blues citing non-compliance.
- November 2024 — Claimed off waivers by Montreal Canadiens.
What we know and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Texier was drafted by Columbus in 2017 (45th overall) (NHL.com)
- He played for Columbus from 2019 until June 2024
- The Blues terminated his contract in October 2024 (NHL.com)
- He was claimed by Montreal in November 2024
- Career totals: 40 G, 51 A, 91 Pts in 240 GP (NHL.com)
- His 2024 contract with St. Louis was two years, $4.2M (The Hockey News)
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for contract termination (team cited only “non-compliance”) (NHL.com)
- Whether personal issues, visa problems, or a breach of team rules were involved
- His long-term future with Montreal beyond the 2024-25 season
- Whether he can re-establish himself as a regular NHL player
Voices on the situation
“We expect all players to adhere to their contractual obligations.”
— Doug Armstrong, Blues President and GM, on the contract termination (NHL.com)
“Texier is an outstanding young man and just didn’t find any kind of path this year to consistently stay in the lineup.”
— Jim Montgomery, Blues head coach (The Hockey News)
“The Blues put Texier on unconditional waivers, he went unclaimed, and was assigned to the AHL. He chose not to report, instead seeking contract termination.”
— The Hockey News, reporting on the procedural steps leading to termination (The Hockey News)
The pattern is clear: Texier’s value has never been lower, and the clock is ticking. For the Montreal Canadiens, the decision to claim him off waivers is a low-cost bet on a player who, at 26, still has time to rebuild his reputation. For Texier, the implication is stark — perform consistently in Montreal’s lineup, or risk being remembered as the player whose contract was terminated before his prime.
For a deeper look into the circumstances surrounding his departure from St. Louis, see Texiers contract termination details.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Alexandre Texier?
Alexandre Texier was born on September 13, 1999. He is 26 years old as of the 2024-25 NHL season.
What position does Alexandre Texier play?
Texier primarily plays left wing but can also play center. He shoots left.
What is Alexandre Texier’s nationality?
He is French, born in Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France. He represented France at the international level.
When was Alexandre Texier drafted?
He was drafted 45th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL.com).
What is Alexandre Texier’s career points total?
He has 91 career NHL points (40 goals, 51 assists) in 240 regular-season games (NHL.com).
Has Alexandre Texier played in the AHL?
Yes, he has played in the AHL for the Cleveland Monsters (Columbus affiliate) and was assigned to Springfield (Blues affiliate) before his contract termination.
What is Alexandre Texier’s current contract length?
He is on a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens at an $875,000 cap hit, expiring after the 2025-26 season.
Does Alexandre Texier have any NHL awards?
He has not won any NHL individual awards. He won the Jean-Pierre Graff Trophy as Ligue Magnus Rookie of the Year in France before being drafted.
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