The St. Louis Blues have traded veteran forward Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals. In return, General Manager Doug Armstrong acquired forwards Connor McMichael and Milton Gastrin, along with Washington’s 16th overall selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
The deal, announced Tuesday afternoon, gives the Blues four first-round picks in this year’s draft: Nos. 11, 15, 16, and 29. It’s a significant haul for a team coming off two consecutive playoff misses, providing Armstrong with ammunition to accelerate the retooling of the roster.
At 25 years old, McMichael represents the most immediate piece of the return. The Ajax, Ontario native just wrapped up his sixth season with the Capitals, appearing in 78 games and posting a career-high 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists) with a +8 rating and 30 penalty minutes. He played all 82 games the prior season, notching career-best marks of 26 goals and 57 points.
Andy Strickland on X (formerly Twitter): “Connor McMichael and Robert Thomas were once traded for one another in junior. Thomas to Hamilton, McMichael to London. #OHL / X”
Connor McMichael and Robert Thomas were once traded for one another in junior. Thomas to Hamilton, McMichael to London. #OHL
A former first-round pick (25th overall in 2019), McMichael has shown steady growth into a reliable two-way forward. Over 315 career NHL games, he’s tallied 154 points (67 goals, 87 assists). He also brings playoff experience, with eight points (5G, 3A) in 18 postseason games. As a restricted free agent, he slots in as a versatile middle-six contributor who can play both wings and center, adding depth and youth to a Blues forward group in transition.
The 19-year-old Gastrin (drafted 37th overall by Washington in 2025) adds another promising piece to the Blues’ prospect pipeline. The Örnsköldsvik, Sweden native spent the 2025-26 season with MoDo Hockey in the HockeyAllsvenskan (Sweden’s second tier), recording 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 39 games. At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, the left-shooting center/left winger has shown strong offensive instincts and faceoff ability at the junior and minor-pro levels.
While still raw, Gastrin’s size, skating, and production against older competition make him a project with legitimate top-six potential. He becomes another building block for a Blues system already focused on high draft capital.
Acquiring the 16th pick pushes the Blues into an enviable position heading into Friday’s draft in Buffalo. With four first-rounders clustered in the top 30, Armstrong and his staff have flexibility to select best-player-available talent or package picks to move up for a premium prospect. The team has been vocal about preparing thoroughly for this draft window.
For Kyrou, the trade marks the end of an eight-year run with the only NHL organization he’s known. Originally selected 35th overall in 2016, the 28-year-old Toronto native developed into one of the Blues’ most dynamic offensive threats. He finishes his St. Louis career with 378 points (168 goals, 210 assists) in 488 regular-season games, including multiple 30-goal campaigns and a highlight-reel style that thrilled fans at Enterprise Center.
This past season, limited to 72 games, Kyrou posted 46 points (18G, 28A) and ranked fifth on the team in scoring. His speed and playmaking will be missed, but the contract (eight years, $8.125 million AAV through 2030-31) and the team’s competitive timeline made him a logical piece to move in a seller’s market.
