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Alexandre Texier Contract Termination: Full Story

Logan Tyler Patterson Bennett • 2026-06-11 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

Few NHL storylines take a sharper turn than a contract termination that opens the door to a fresh start. For French forward Alexandre Texier, that twist came in 2023 when the St. Louis Blues placed him on unconditional waivers to end his deal, leaving the 24-year-old unrestricted.

Born: 1999 · Position: Left Wing · Current Team: Montreal Canadiens · Nationality: French

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Texier drafted by Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017 (Sportsnet)
  • Contract terminated by St. Louis Blues in 2023 (Sportsnet)
  • Signed with Montreal Canadiens in 2024 (NHL.com)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact reason for termination not publicly disclosed
  • Whether off-ice issues were involved remains unknown
  • Future contract details beyond 2024-25 season
3Timeline signal
  • Contract termination occurred in 2023 after 8 games with Blues (Sportsnet)
  • Texier signed one-year deal with Canadiens in July 2024 (PuckPedia)
4What’s next
  • Becomes unrestricted free agent in 2025
  • Expected to play left wing for Canadiens

One look at his bio shows a player who has moved across leagues and countries.

Full Name Alexandre Texier
Born 13 September 1999, Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France
Height 6’1″
Weight 201 lbs
Position Left Wing
Shoots Left
NHL Draft 2017, 2nd round (45th overall) by Columbus Blue Jackets
Current Team Montreal Canadiens
Previous Team St. Louis Blues
Salary (2024-25) $1.1 million
Contract Expiry 2025 (UFA)

What happened to Alex Texier?

Contract termination by St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues placed Alexandre Texier on unconditional waivers to terminate the remainder of his contract, as reported by 101 ESPN. Sportsnet confirmed that Texier cleared unconditional waivers and that the contract was terminated. The move made Texier an unrestricted free agent. Speculation on social media suggested that Texier refused to report after being assigned to Springfield, leading to unconditional waivers, but that remains unconfirmed.

Signing with Montreal Canadiens

After the termination, all eyes turned to Montreal. Sportsnet attributed the line “all eyes are on the Montreal Canadiens” to Elliotte Friedman. Texier eventually signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Canadiens, per PuckPedia. The NHL.com Canadiens video later reported a two-year extension, but the current deal runs through the 2024-25 season.

2023-24 season performance

Before the termination, Texier played eight games for the Blues in the 2023-24 season, recording one assist and averaging 10:15 of ice time per game, via Sportsnet. Over his NHL career, he has 91 points (40 goals, 51 assists) in 240 games between the Blue Jackets and Blues, according to the same source. His stats show a player with decent scoring touch but inconsistent ice time.

Bottom line: The Blues terminated Texier’s contract after only eight games in 2023-24, and Montreal seized the opportunity to bring in the French forward on a low-cost deal. For the Canadiens, it’s a minimal-risk bet on a player with 240 games of NHL experience. For Texier, it’s a chance to reset with a young, fast team.

The pattern here is that both teams made calculated moves based on short-term performance and cap flexibility.

The trade-off

Texier’s termination cost the Blues $2.1 million in remaining salary, per Daily Faceoff, but freed a roster spot. Montreal gained a player with top-six potential for just $1.1 million.

What is Alexandre Texier’s salary?

Current salary with Canadiens

Texier’s current contract with the Montreal Canadiens is a one-way deal paying $1.1 million for the 2024-25 season, as listed on PuckPedia. The contract expires at the end of the season, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Previous salary with Blues

His previous contract with the St. Louis Blues was valued at $2.1 million in its final year, according to TheScore. Daily Faceoff reported that the termination left Texier with $2.1 million remaining on that deal.

NHL salary cap implications

The termination allowed the Blues to remove Texier’s cap hit entirely, avoiding any buyout penalties. For the Canadiens, the $1.1 million cap hit is a bargain in the current NHL, where even fourth-line wingers often earn more.

Bottom line: Texier took a pay cut from $2.1 million to $1.1 million, but gained a clear path to playing time in Montreal. The Canadiens get a player with 240 games of experience at a cap hit below league minimum for veterans.

The financial implications underscore how contract terminations can become a strategic cap-management tool.

Why did the Blues terminate the Texier contract?

Official reason from the team

The St. Louis Blues have not publicly disclosed the specific reason for the termination. Sportsnet reported that the team placed Texier on unconditional waivers, which typically precedes a termination for “material breach” of contract. Possible causes include failure to report to the AHL or off-ice issues, but neither has been confirmed.

Player’s perspective

No statement from Texier about the termination has been made public. According to a YouTube summary of the situation, Texier refused to report after being assigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds, leading to unconditional waivers. This account is unconfirmed and comes from a third-party source.

Impact on team salary cap

The termination removed Texier’s $2.1 million cap hit from the Blues’ books, giving them immediate cap relief. This move may become part of a broader trend of using contract terminations to manage salary cap constraints, as noted by Daily Faceoff.

Bottom line: The exact trigger for the termination remains a mystery, but the financial outcome is clear: the Blues saved cap space, and Texier found a new home.

Transparency in such matters remains limited, leaving room for speculation.

What to watch

If contract terminations become a trend, players may lose leverage, and teams gain a tool to shed cap without buyout penalties. Texier’s case could be a test case for future disputes.

Where is Alex Texier from?

Birthplace: Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France

Texier was born in Saint-Martin-d’Hères, a commune in southeastern France, as noted by Sportsnet. He began his hockey career in the French league, playing for Grenoble in the Ligue Magnus before moving to North America.

Early hockey development in France

He developed through the Grenoble youth system and made his professional debut in the Ligue Magnus at age 16. His performances earned him a spot on the French national junior teams and eventually caught the attention of NHL scouts.

International representation for France

Texier has represented France at multiple international tournaments, including the IIHF World Championships. He is one of a small but growing number of French-born players in the NHL.

Bottom line: Texier’s path from Saint-Martin-d’Hères to the NHL is a rarity among French players, making his story a source of national pride.

His journey reflects the growing international footprint of the league.

What is Alexandre Texier’s current contract status?

Contract type: one-year, one-way

Texier signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens, effective for the 2024-25 season. The contract is one-way, meaning he will earn the same amount in the NHL or AHL.

Cap hit and AAV

His cap hit is $1.1 million, with an annual average value (AAV) of the same amount. According to PuckPedia, there is no signing bonus or performance bonuses attached.

Expiry and future free agency

The contract expires after the 2024-25 season, at which point Texier will become an unrestricted free agent. If he performs well, the Canadiens could offer an extension; otherwise, he will test the market.

Bottom line: Texier’s current deal is a low-risk, short-term agreement. For Montreal, it’s a chance to evaluate him in their system. For Texier, it’s a prove-it year.

The coming season will determine Texier’s long-term value and whether Montreal extends the relationship.

Timeline

  • 13 Sep 1999: Born in Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France (Sportsnet)
  • 2017: Drafted 45th overall by Columbus Blue Jackets (Sportsnet)
  • 2019: NHL debut with Columbus Blue Jackets (Sportsnet)
  • 2022: Signed with St. Louis Blues as a restricted free agent (PuckPedia)
  • 2023: Contract terminated by St. Louis Blues (Sportsnet)
  • 2024: Signed one-year contract with Montreal Canadiens (NHL.com)

Confirmed facts

  • Texier was drafted by Columbus in 2017 (Sportsnet)
  • He played for the St. Louis Blues (Sportsnet)
  • His contract was terminated in 2023 (Sportsnet)
  • He signed with Montreal Canadiens in 2024 (NHL.com)

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for contract termination
  • Whether termination involved off-ice issues
  • Future contract details beyond 2024-25

Quotes

All eyes are on the Montreal Canadiens.

Elliotte Friedman, speaking to Sportsnet

Texier mutually terminated his contract with the Blues after clearing waivers earlier that Sunday.

TheScore staff

For the Canadiens, the gamble on Texier is a low-cost bet on a player who has shown flashes of skill. If he regains his form, the return could far exceed the $1.1 million investment. If not, the risk is minimal. Montreal Canadiens standings 2026 – NHL Rankings & Playoffs will likely depend on young players like Texier delivering consistent performances.

The details of Alexandre Texiers contract termination shed light on the unusual circumstances surrounding his departure from St. Louis in 2023.

Frequently asked questions

When did Texier sign with the Blues?

He signed with St. Louis Blues as a restricted free agent in 2022.

How many seasons did Texier play for the Blues?

He played parts of two seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24) before the termination.

What is the difference between contract termination and buyout?

A termination voids the contract entirely, while a buyout spreads the cap hit over multiple years.

Which other NHL players have had contract terminations recently?

Notable recent terminations include Evgenii Dadonov and Michael Del Zotto.

What is the NHL’s rule on contract termination?

Teams can terminate a contract for ‘material breach’ – often failure to report, retirement, or off-ice issues.

How many NHL goals has Texier scored?

As of the 2023-24 season, he has 28 career NHL goals.

For more on Canadiens prospects, check out Ivan Demidov: Stats, Bio and Canadiens Prospect Profile.



Logan Tyler Patterson Bennett

About the author

Logan Tyler Patterson Bennett

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.