Alexandre Texier doesn’t wish to speak about what seemed to be an acrimonious divorce from the St. Louis Blues.
As an alternative, following a whirlwind few days, he merely is in search of a recent begin with the Canadiens after
signing a one-year, US$1-million contract on Sunday
and practising with the staff for the primary time Monday on the CN Sports activities Complicated.
“It doesn’t matter what, you’ve at all times received one thing to show,” the 26-year-old French native informed The Gazette. “I’ll have one thing to show now, even when all the pieces goes nicely. We now have to show many times. That’s a part of the NHL.
“I’m a Montreal Canadien. What’s up to now is up to now. I don’t wish to look again. I wish to keep constructive. There’s a number of issues (that occurred in St. Louis). Crucial factor is me and I’m taking part in the sport I really like. Now I’m right here and I get the prospect to try this.”
Texier, 6-foot-1 and 196 kilos, was in his second season with the Blues however was restricted to eight video games and produced just one help. He hasn’t performed since Nov. 6, at Buffalo.
He was assigned to AHL Springfield final Friday however refused to report. He was positioned on unconditional waivers, terminating his contract and changing into an unrestricted free agent. Dan Milstein, his Detroit-based agent, stated 9 groups contacted him. Ottawa, Buffalo and Vancouver reportedly have been among the many different golf equipment exhibiting curiosity.
Whereas Texier may find yourself being a one-year experiment and can in all probability fill a bottom-six ahead function in Montreal, he’ll add depth to a staff that has been hit laborious by accidents to forwards
Kirby Dach
,
Alex Newhook
and Patrik Laine.
Texier is a flexible participant who can be utilized at centre or wing. He can even play on particular groups. However because the Canadiens embark on a three-game highway journey this week — starting Wednesday evening in Utah — head coach Martin St. Louis stated he doesn’t know when Texier will make his Montreal debut. Or which gamers he’ll be teamed with.
“He’s received a excessive stage of talent,” St. Louis stated. “He must get acclimated with the group. He wants to determine how we play collectively, on each side of the puck. There’s a course of for that. I don’t know the way quick he comes into our lineup. And when he does, I don’t know the place he’s going to play but. However we just like the potential of the participant or else we wouldn’t have signed him.”
The Canadiens broke a five-game (0-4-1) dropping skid on
Saturday evening, towards Toronto
.
On Monday, Texier spelled Nick Suzuki on a line with Zachary Bolduc and Cole Caufield. Winger Joshua Roy, who was a wholesome scratch towards the Maple Leafs, practised with the Canadiens on Monday however was returned to AHL Laval earlier than the staff flew to Salt Lake Metropolis. Roy has failed to gather some extent in three video games with Montreal. That makes Texier the one additional ahead.
Texier performed with Bolduc in St. Louis and was Josh Anderson’s former teammate in Columbus, having been chosen by the Blue Jackets within the second spherical (forty fifth general) in 2017.
“I didn’t anticipate something, to be sincere,” Texier stated. “After all the pieces was finished I talked to a few groups. Montreal was considered one of them. It was my first possibility. They’re a younger staff that performs quick. It was the joy I received from this. I’ve simply received to attend for my probability. I’ll be prepared. I’m feeling good, recent. My legs are good. I do know they play laborious.
“Clearly I’m anxious to play. I really feel prefer it has been some time. I’m right here to play hockey. That’s what I do for a residing. I’m excited. It’s good that all the pieces occurred so rapidly. That’s what you need as a participant. You don’t wish to wait 4 days at house doing nothing. Get proper into observe and hit the highway. I feel it could be a very good factor that I’m not (in Montreal) to begin. It’s approach completely different. Simply the media and all the pieces. I’ve received to get used to that and keep constructive, it doesn’t matter what.”
Texier has 240 NHL video games to his credit score and has scored 40 targets and 91 factors. He has represented France in quite a few worldwide tournaments, together with 4 IIHF world championships. He additionally performed in two world junior tournaments.
In the meantime, defenceman
Adam Engstrom
, who was promoted to the Canadiens on Sunday and can accompany the staff on the highway journey, has been named AHL participant of the week after scoring three targets and 7 factors in three video games with Laval.
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
Associated
Canadiens signal Alexandre Texier and name up Adam Engstrom from Laval
Hidden Sport: Florian Xhekaj brings vitality to Canadiens in NHL debut towards Leafs
