There are moments in hockey when a new face arrives and, almost instantly, the questions begin to swirl. For the Montreal Canadiens, the recent addition of Alexandre Texier has sparked a whirlwind of speculation, excitement, and—perhaps most of all—curiosity. Texier steps onto the ice in Montreal carrying not just his skates and stick, but the weight of expectation and the promise of something new. The circumstances surrounding his arrival are anything but ordinary, and the story behind his sudden move from St. Louis is layered with intrigue.

Texier’s mission in Montreal is clear: fill the gap left by Alex Newhook’s absence, and seize the opportunity to make a name for himself in a city that lives and breathes hockey. On paper, Texier’s profile seems tailor-made for the Canadiens’ needs. He’s fast, versatile, and brings a skill set that could immediately bolster the penalty kill. But there’s more to his story than just ability—there’s a deeper, more complex narrative that has fans and insiders alike wondering what really led to his departure from the Blues.

Why would a team like St. Louis, constantly searching for depth and talent, let a player like Texier go so easily? The answer isn’t straightforward, and the layers of reasoning only add to the mystery. Was it simply a matter of fit, or is there a deeper tension lurking beneath the surface? This morning, the hockey world got a rare glimpse behind the curtain, as insider Renaud Lavoie shared new details on BPM Sports, painting a picture of a relationship that never quite clicked.

Texier’s time under coach Jim Montgomery was marked not by open conflict, but by a subtle, persistent disconnect. According to Lavoie, Montgomery simply didn’t see Texier as his kind of player. There was no dramatic feud, no headline-grabbing fallout—just a quiet, undeniable difference in philosophy. Montgomery wanted toughness, grit, and physical presence; Texier brought speed, intelligence, and finesse. It was a clash of hockey identities, and in the end, it was enough to open the door for Texier’s exit.

For the Canadiens, however, this is more than just a roster move—it’s an opportunity. Texier arrives in Montreal with a chance to reinvent himself, to prove that his style can thrive in a new environment. The questions now shift from why he left the Blues to how he’ll be used by Martin St-Louis. Will he step into a key role, or will he find himself battling for minutes on special teams? With Joshua Roy sent down to Laval, the path is clear for Texier to make an immediate impact.

And perhaps the most intriguing part of this story is the price: the Canadiens acquired Texier for almost nothing. It’s a low-risk, high-reward gamble, and the potential upside is impossible to ignore. As the dust settles, one thing is certain—the story of Alexandre Texier in Montreal is just beginning, and the next chapter promises to be anything but predictable.

New Canadiens forward Alexandre Texier (left) Blues coach Jim Montgomery (right)

Photo credit: All Habs / NHL

Alexandre Texier arrives in Montreal with a very clear mission: to fill the absence of Alex Newhook for the next few weeks and to make a name for himself.

In my opinion, his profile is very similar to Newhook’s, which explains why the Canadiens jumped at the opportunity. He is fast, versatile, and capable of contributing well on the penalty kill.

But a real question kept coming up since yesterday: why did the Blues agree to let him go so easily?

Why the Blues Really Let Alexandre Texier Go

This morning on BPM Sports, Renaud Lavoie explained the situation in depth and revealed why it didn’t work out with him in St. Louis.

“Don’t forget that his last coach, up until very recently, was Jim Montgomery.

And Jim and him didn’t get along. I’m not saying there was a feud between them, but Jim Montgomery did not like Alex Texier at all.

It’s been confirmed that he’s not his type of player. He’s also not the bravest player.”

– Renaud Lavoie on BPM Sports

According to him, Texier wasn’t liked by Montgomery and has carried for a little while a less solid reputation on the physical side. Indeed, he is not known for going into traffic or imposing a physical style, which does not fit very well with the identity Jim Montgomery wants.

That is precisely what cooled the coach. Montgomery wants aggressive players who are ready to play harder. Texier, for his part, relies primarily on his speed and hockey sense. This difference would have opened the door to his departure, even if the forward still possesses several useful qualities.

For the Canadiens, however, it is an opportunity to seize. But I believe the next question concerns his usage. Will Martin St-Louis give him an important role to fill or could he go directly onto one of the penalty-killing units?

For his part, Texier is looking for a fresh start and a new place to prove himself. He could very well crack the lineup on the road, especially with Joshua Roy sent back down to Laval.

In my view, with his speed, he could force turnovers and even create a few unexpected chances. And let’s be honest, the best part of this story is that Texier cost the Habs almost nothing.

So it is hard to criticize the move!