Blues trade Jordan Kyrou to Capitals for Connor McMichael, first-round pick, prospect
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- The St. Louis Blues traded winger Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals in exchange for forward Connor McMichael, prospect Milton Gastrin, and the No. 16 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, giving the Blues four first-round picks this year.
- Kyrou, 28, was the Blues’ top goal scorer for three consecutive seasons but had a down year in 2025-26, leading to questions about his consistency and eventual trade despite having four years left on his $8.125 million contract.
- McMichael, 25, showed promise in the 2024-25 season but regressed in 2025-26; he is more versatile and cheaper than Kyrou but carries some uncertainty regarding his future performance and value as a restricted free agent.
- Prospect Milton Gastrin, a 19-year-old center from Sweden, is seen as a responsible two-way player with a projectable NHL future, though his offensive upside is considered limited.
- The Blues are betting on a younger, more cost-effective core and increased draft capital to offset the loss of Kyrou’s scoring, with hopes that players like McMichael, Gastrin, and their other forwards can fill the offensive gap.
