Olympian healthy scratched by team just days before NHL trade deadline

Montreal is back in action tonight against the Washington Capitals. It is a massive Saturday night tilt and a rematch of last year's intense first-round playoff battle.

After a frustrating 4-3 overtime loss to the Islanders on Thursday, head coach Martin St-Louis is shuffling his lines.

The most notable omission is Alexandre Texier. Fresh off representing Team France as their lone NHL representative in the Olympics, Texier will skip his turn tonight. He has been a solid contributor this season with 18 points in 31 games, but the coaching staff is opting for a different look.

Per Eric Engels:

Replacing him is Zachary Bolduc. The 22-year-old Quebec native was a scratch on Thursday but gets back in to prove he belongs in the top nine. Bolduc has 10 goals in 37 appearances this season and needs to show more consistency to stay in the lineup permanently.

On the blue line, Arber Xhekaj is the odd man out once again. This is a rotation we have seen many times this season, with Jayden Struble drawing back in. Struble has eight assists in 39 games and brings a similar level of physicality, though with perhaps a bit more discipline in the eyes of the staff.

With the March 6 trade deadline less than a week away, these scratches are fueling massive speculation. Xhekaj remains a polarizing figure in trade rumors. His unique combination of size, fightingbility, and puck-moving potential makes him a target for contenders looking for "playoff grit."

Texier is also on a team-friendly $2.5 million deal, making him a potential depth target for a winner. Whether this is simple roster management or the prelude to a blockbuster move, the smoke in Montreal is getting thick.

The Canadiens currently hold the first wild-card spot in the East. Messing with the chemistry now is a gamble, but Drury and St-Louis clearly feel a change is necessary.

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