Canadiens’ Texier Day-to-Day, Dach Returns; Rangers Get Soucy Back; Dube Returns from KHL
The Montreal Canadiens are navigating some lineup changes this week, as forward Alexandre Texier has been ruled day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He was absent from tonight’s matchup against the Minnesota Wild, a game that marked the return of Kirby Dach, who was activated from long-term injured reserve earlier in the day.
Texier’s absence came as a bit of a surprise. He finished Saturday’s win over Ottawa without any visible discomfort, but something clearly cropped up afterward.
Since arriving in Montreal back in November, Texier has been a pleasant surprise - and a productive one. Slotted into a top-six role, he’s put up 16 points in 27 games, showing the kind of offensive upside that had been elusive during his time in Columbus.
For context, his previous career high was a 30-point season with the Blue Jackets in 2023-24. He’s looked more confident and more involved in Montreal’s system, and if the current timeline holds, he could be back as early as Thursday when the Canadiens host the Sabres.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are getting a key piece back on the blue line. Carson Soucy is set to return to the lineup tonight in Los Angeles, according to head coach Mike Sullivan. Soucy had missed the last two games due to personal reasons - he and his family just welcomed a new addition - but he’s back and ready to go.
Soucy has been logging solid minutes for New York this season, averaging 17:18 per game across 44 appearances, mostly in a second-pairing role. He brings a steady, physical presence to the back end, and with the Rangers still trying to find their groove amid some up-and-down performances, his return should help stabilize things.
As a pending unrestricted free agent, his name has floated around in trade speculation, but for now, he’s back in the mix. Urho Vaakanainen is expected to come out of the lineup to make room.
And in the AHL, forward Pierrick Dube is making his return to North American ice. The 25-year-old has signed a standard player contract with the Bridgeport Islanders, as confirmed by the team.
Dube had been playing in the KHL this season, splitting time between Traktor Chelyabinsk and SKA St. Petersburg, where he tallied 16 points in 28 games.
While overseas, he skated alongside a few familiar names, including Josh Leivo and Rocco Grimaldi.
Dube’s no stranger to the AHL grind - he’s a Calder Cup champion and had a breakout year with the Hershey Bears in 2023-24, racking up 48 points in 66 games. He also made a brief NHL appearance with the Capitals, suiting up for three games.
Now he joins a Bridgeport squad that’s in need of some offensive help, currently sitting 24th in the standings. If he can rediscover the form he showed last season, he could provide a much-needed spark.
Plenty of moving parts across the league this week - injuries, returns, and roster tweaks - as teams continue to jockey for position and build momentum heading into the second half of the season.