MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- The happenings of the past couple of days related to Brandon Saad likely being unconditionally waived for the purpose of terminating the remainder of his contract by 1 p.m. (CT) Friday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues/latest-news/saad-clears-waivers-will-seek-contract-termination] served notice to one particular St. Louis Blues forward to grab an opportunity. Forward will get extensive look with Thomas, Buchnevich And when Blues general manager Doug Armstrong voiced his support for Alexandre Texier, who her traded for June 29, 2024 and signed to a two-year extension [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues/latest-news/blues-acquire-alexandre-texier-from-blue-jackets-for-pick], there was the 25-year-old skating on a line with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich ahead of Friday's first matchup of the season against the Colorado Avalanche. "I think it's a great chance for me right now," Texier said. "I've just got to take it and play the right way." No other way of looking at it. Texier, who has just eight points (three goals, five assists) in 24 games this season, hasn't played since Jan. 14, being a healthy scratch the past five games. It's his chance now with the Blues (23-24-4) trying to stay relevant in the wild card hunt while also serving purpose for what this particular player can do for them in the future. "I just think get back playing now," Texier said. "It's been a while so I'm just going to keep it simple and try to read off those guys. They're going to make those plays. I've just got to be in the right spot in front of the net and do those little details the right way. Should be good." Texier skated previously with Thomas and Buchnevich against the Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings prior to Christmas. Coach Jim Montgomery liked those sample sizes when Texier had an assist against the Panthers, then scored and had a game-high five shots against the Red Wings. "(Play) like he did in that game in Detroit and when he was with them in Florida," Montgomery said. "Play with pace, play with purpose, make plays, stay connected to the other two, they need to stay connected with him. It was a really good line for us there two games in a row. "I've had many talks with him about what kind of player he can be and I think he can be really good." Texier, who's dealt with an upper-body injury this season as well as illness that derailed his time on the ice post-Christmas, has gained momentum when he's been in the lineup, then has had to build back momentum when there's been a setback, including stints of being a healthy scratch. One of Alexandre Texier's three goals this season for the St. Louis Blues came in the 2025 Discover Winter Classic against the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field on Dec. 31. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyNDg5OTk5MzIzNTA2MzA0/usatsi_25092706.jpg] One of Alexandre Texier's three goals this season for the St. Louis Blues came in the 2025 Discover Winter Classic against the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field on Dec. 31. "As a player, you always want to be out there," Texier said. "Those things happen in sport. It's a challenge every time. It's not going to be perfect all year long. You're going to have some up and downs. You just kind of learn from the past and have to take it a positive way. But it's in the past and nothing I can do. Just focus on tomorrow. What's the point to look back? It's in the past. Nothing I can do. Now I just have some good practices and ready to go and win the game tomorrow." So this isn't expected to be a one-and-done situation. The Blues have 31 games left and although anything can "Obviously it's always great to play with those players," Texier said. "You've just got to bring something to the table as well. The physicality, and just play hard and try (not) to think too much. Sometimes you try to pass the puck too much and stuff like that. Just going to keep it simple and play my game." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5MjcwNjk1MDQ0MDY0NDYy/subscribe2024-front-banner.jpg]
