With a young core, improved depth, and still playing meaningful games late in the season, the Montreal Canadiens are trending in the right direction. However, not every decision has looked perfect in hindsight. The two-year contract extension the Canadiens handed to Alexandre Texier in January is now raising questions. At the time, the move made sense. But just a few months later, it seems premature.
Texier’s OpportunityÂ
Early in the season, the Canadiens were dealing with a brutal wave of injuries. Regular forwards were unavailable, leaving head coach Martin St. Louis scrambling to fill out the lineup. The team needed bodies and, more importantly, players capable of contributing immediately. That’s when Texier entered the picture.
After the St. Louis Blues terminated his contract, Texier signed a deal with the Canadiens to finish the season. The move came with very little risk. Texier, a second-round pick in 2017 with undeniable skill, was looking for another opportunity to reestablish himself in the NHL. For a while, he delivered.
Texier stepped into the lineup and provided energy and versatility. He showed flashes of offensive ability, played responsibly, and helped stabilize a lineup that was missing several key pieces. When the Canadiens needed reliable players to get through a difficult stretch, Texier did his job, and it didn’t take long before the organization rewarded him for it.
On Jan. 14, Montreal signed Texier to a two-year contract extension worth $2.5 million per season. At the time, the Canadiens were signing a player who had fit well into the group, could play multiple roles, and was still young enough to take another step in his development. However, the circumstances that made Texier valuable have since changed.
A Healthy Canadiens Lineup Changes Everything
Following the Olympic break, the Canadiens’ roster finally became healthy. Players who had been missing for weeks were suddenly back in the lineup, and with the team competing in a tight playoff race, lineup spots became significantly harder to earn. That shift has not worked in Texier’s favour.
Recently, Texier has struggled to secure a regular role in the lineup, appearing in one of the Canadiens’ last five games. Instead, the coaching staff has opted for other forwards, whether it’s younger players pushing for ice time or veterans who better fit specific roles. The Canadiens now have options.
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Players like Alex Newhook and other depth forwards have continued to earn opportunities, while the top six remains largely set. And that is where the questions surrounding Texier’s extension begin to emerge.
Are the Canadiens Already Regretting the Deal?
A $2.5 million cap hit is reasonable in today’s NHL salary structure. It won’t cripped the team financially or force difficult decisions elsewhere. Still, the timing of the extension is worth revisiting. When Montreal committed to Texier, their roster situation was very different. Texier was playing meaningful minutes due to mounting injuries. But once the team returned to full strength, his role diminished almost immediately. Did the Canadiens move too quickly to sign him to an extension?
Had the team waited longer, they might have had a clearer picture of where Texier truly fit within the organization. That said, it is also far too early to label the contract a mistake. Texier not playing right now does not mean he will be out of the lineup long term. Rosters are constantly evolving. Injuries happen, players slump, and roles shift throughout a season. Over the next two years, there will almost certainly be opportunities for Texier to contribute.
Additionally, the Canadiens’ roster is still in flux. The organization could make trades this summer or move certain players to create space. If that happens, Texier could once again find himself in a more consistent role. For now, though, his situation highlights an interesting dilemma. Montreal rewarded a player who stepped up during a difficult moment. That kind of loyalty helps build a positive culture in the locker room. At the same time, it may have been made a bit earlier than necessary.
