St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong spoke recently of potentially acquiring a young forward with either term or who would be under team control.

The Blues took a step forward in that direction when they acquired 24-year-old forward Alexandre Texier from the Columbus Blue Jackets in return for a 2025 fourth-round pick.

Texier could have become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1, but the Blues and Texier immediately came to terms on a two-year, $4.2 million contract that carries a $2.1 million average annual value. He can once again be a RFA in 2026 with arbitration rights.

Forward signed two-year, $4.2 million cotract; 24-year-old could have been restricted free agent

"He fits in our age bracket," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said of Texier. "We have (cap) space, so it felt like a risk-reward deal that made sense for us. It's an opportunity for him and for us, a fresh start for him and a new player for us."

Texier, who was a second-round pick in 2017, is coming off a season in which he had 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in 78 games after playing the previous season for the ZSC Lions of the Swiss National League.

In total, Texier has played 201 regular-season games in five seasons with the Blue Jackets and never seemed to quite get any footing there; he has 79 points (34 goals, 45 assists) and two goals and five assists in 18 career playoff games.

It's a low-risk move for the Blues, who are looking for younger forwards to plug into their lineup, perhaps a middle six role and one of those proverbial change of scenery type of deals that can get the Grenoble, France native more opportunity to put up better numbers.

"It would be a stretch to say top-six right now," Armstrong said. "He was trending to that one day, but we think he's certainly going to play in our group of nine. A nice utility player and that's what we're looking for."

Blues acquire Alexandre Texier from Blue Jackets for pick