BROSSARD, QC – In a move that has already stirred controversy among fans and analysts, Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced Sunday that the club has signed forward Alexandre Texier to a one-year, $1 million contract and recalled defenseman Adam Engstrom from the Laval Rocket.
Texier, 26, arrives in Montreal after a brief stint with the St. Louis Blues, where he managed just one assist in eight games this season. Despite his 240-game NHL résumé and international experience with France, critics question whether a short-term deal signals a lack of long-term confidence in his ability to contribute meaningfully to the Canadiens’ rebuild.
Meanwhile, Engstrom’s recall has ignited debate over the team’s defensive depth chart. The 22-year-old Swedish blueliner has been a standout in Laval, leading all Rocket defensemen with 14 points (5G, 9A) in 18 games. His offensive production places him among the AHL’s top-performing rearguards, but skeptics argue that rushing him into NHL action could stunt his development.
Texier, originally drafted 45th overall by Columbus in 2017, has accumulated 91 career points (40G, 51A) and 94 penalty minutes. He also brings playoff experience, having appeared in 21 postseason contests with the Blue Jackets and Blues. Engstrom, selected 92nd overall by Montreal in 2022, now faces the challenge of translating his AHL success to the NHL stage.
The Canadiens’ decision reflects a balancing act between short-term roster needs and long-term player development. Whether Texier’s contract proves to be a bargain or a bust, and whether Engstrom can handle the leap to the big league, remains a contentious storyline in Montreal’s season.