Major NHL Trade Reshapes Futures
Capitals Acquire Dynamic Scorer Jordan Kyrou, Blues Gain McMichael and 2026 First-Round Pick
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Key Points
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Jordan Kyrou is under an eight-year contract worth $8.125 million per season and previously held a no-trade clause, a factor in how the trade unfolded.
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Kyrou's underlying impact was highlighted by elite play-driving metrics: Blues generated 59.7% of expected goals with him on the ice, and his on-ice xG difference per 60 was +1.02, the best in the league among wingers, underscoring value beyond goal totals.
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The Blues acquired No. 16 and now have four first-round picks in the 2026 draft, significantly boosting their long-term draft capital.
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Milton Gastrin’s trajectory includes 24 points in 39 HockeyAllsvenskan games for MoDo in 2025-26, with his 2026-27 destination (AHL Springfield or loaned to Europe) still to be determined.
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There were reports that Kyrou waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the Capitals trade, signaling a willingness to move under the right circumstances.
The Washington Capitals landed a dynamic top-six scorer on June 23, acquiring Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues for forward Connor McMichael, 19-year-old prospect Milton Gastrin, and the 16th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, according to NHL.com. Kyrou, 28, recorded 18 goals and 46 points last season and carries an $8.125 million annual salary through 2031.
The Blues come away with a massive asset haul. St. Louis now holds four first-round picks — 11th, 15th, 16th, and 29th — in the draft set to begin June 26 in Buffalo, per TSN. Capitals GM Chris Patrick called Kyrou "an exceptionally talented and dynamic offensive player" whose "creativity and ability to generate offense at an elite level will be a tremendous addition."
Kyrou Waived No-Trade Clause to Force the Move
Kyrou held a full no-trade clause, which could have blocked any deal. By early June, reports surfaced that he had begun identifying teams he would accept, with the Capitals frequently on that list, per RMNB. He ultimately waived the clause to make the trade happen. The move came after a rocky 2025-26 season in which coach Jim Montgomery occasionally scratched him from the lineup despite strong underlying numbers.
The rift between Kyrou and the Blues' coaching staff played a key role in pushing both sides toward a deal, according to The Hockey News. Blues president of hockey ops Doug Armstrong is in his final years as GM, and the outlet framed the trade as Armstrong "selling high" on a player who was no longer a fit — turning one veteran into three distinct assets.
Kyrou's Real Value Was Hidden in the Metrics
Kyrou's 18-goal season looked like a down year on the surface. But his underlying numbers told a different story. With Kyrou on the ice, the Blues generated 59.7% of expected goals. His on-ice expected-goals difference per 60 minutes was +1.02 — the best mark among all NHL wingers, per RMNB. He finishes his Blues tenure with 378 points in 488 career games.
Washington views those metrics as proof Kyrou drives play at an elite level. The Capitals expect him to slot onto the top line immediately, likely alongside Pierre-Luc Dubois or Dylan Strome, per Locked On Capitals. His arrival also targets a power play that struggled with consistency in 2025-26. The deal carries added urgency as captain Alex Ovechkin's retirement timeline remains uncertain.
Blues Gain Four First-Round Picks and a Rising Prospect
McMichael, 25, posted 14 goals and 46 points in 78 games last season, per RealGM. He enters St. Louis as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, meaning the Blues must sign him before July 1. He is expected to fill a middle-six role with power-play time in 2026-27. St. Louis now holds 13 total picks in the 2026 draft, per KSDK.
Gastrin adds another layer of long-term upside. The Swedish forward, drafted 37th overall in 2025, put up 24 points in 39 HockeyAllsvenskan games for MoDo this past season and won gold at the 2026 World Juniors, per RotoWire. The Blues have not yet decided whether he joins AHL Springfield or returns to Europe for another development season in 2026-27.
Trade Grades: Both Teams Win, Debate Lingers on Price
Sportsnet framed the deal as a "win-win." Washington gets a prime-years scorer under contract through 2031. St. Louis gets a volume of picks and youth that fits a five-year rebuild. The New York Times also graded both sides favorably, noting Kyrou gives the Capitals immediate top-line production while the Blues' draft haul is hard to argue with.
Not everyone agrees Washington got a bargain. Some analysts argue the Capitals gave up too much — a middle-six center, a blue-chip prospect, and a mid-first pick — for a player coming off a statistical dip, per RMNB. Others note Kyrou's defensive impact is still a question mark. But with Ovechkin's window closing, the Capitals bet big on proven NHL offense over future upside.
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