Story perspectives

Blues Trade Kyrou, Sign McMichael to Six-Year, $40.5M Deal

7/18/2026

Summary

McMichael Signs

The St. Louis Blues signed forward Connor McMichael to a six-year, $40.5 million contract.
The Blues acquired McMichael by trading forward Jordan Kyrou to Washington for McMichael, prospect Milton Gastrin and a 2026 draft pick, which they used to select centre Maddox Dagenais.
McMichael’s contract pays $6.75 million per season, roughly $1.5 million less than Kyrou’s salary.
Coaches envision McMichael as a second-line centre behind Robert Thomas, a top-six winger, or a scoring third-line forward with Dalibor Dvorsky.

Summary

McMichael Debuts

Mason McMichael will make his St. Louis debut on Oct. 2, 2026, when the Blues face the Dallas Stars.
Alex Steen completed McMichael’s contract before the arbitration hearing.
Washington Capitals drafted McMichael 25th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Mason McMichael won gold at the 2020 World Junior Championship, silver in 2021, captured the 2024 Calder Cup, and spent three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the London Knights.

History

Historical Context

In September 2004 the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement expired, triggering a 310-day lockout that ended on February 16 2005 when commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHLPA accepted a hard $39 million salary cap. The cap drives clubs like the St. Louis Blues to reshape rosters, prompting the Jordan Kyrou trade to Washington and a six-year, $40.5 million deal for Connor McMichael as today’s cap exceeds $70 million.

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McMichael Signs

The St. Louis Blues signed forward Connor McMichael to a six-year, $40.5 million contract.
The Blues acquired McMichael by trading forward Jordan Kyrou to Washington for McMichael, prospect Milton Gastrin and a 2026 draft pick, which they used to select centre Maddox Dagenais.
McMichael’s contract pays $6.75 million per season, roughly $1.5 million less than Kyrou’s salary.
Coaches envision McMichael as a second-line centre behind Robert Thomas, a top-six winger, or a scoring third-line forward with Dalibor Dvorsky.

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