St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has retooled his roster to pursue a competitive window in the Central Division, transitioning the franchise away from veteran dependency toward a younger core of players like Robert Thomas. According to Armstrong, the organization sits in a fundamentally different position following recent roster moves that brought in younger assets rather than relying on short-term veteran fixes.
Roster Restructuring and Key Trades
The Blues focused heavily on acquiring players in the early-to-mid-20s age bracket to complement their existing young first-round draft picks, according to team transactions. On June 26, St. Louis traded for 23-year-old forward Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for two first-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. Three days prior, the Blues shipped 28-year-old forward Jordan Kyrou—their leading goal scorer from 2022-25 (104 goals in 243 games)—to the Anaheim organization. In return, St. Louis received 25-year-old forward Connor McMichael, 19-year-old forward prospect Milton Gastrin, and the No. 16 pick in the 2026 draft.
“The way this business works, you do it today and you get back and you try and do it again tomorrow,” Armstrong said regarding the blueprint behind these moves.
Did you know? Jordan Kyrou led the Blues in goals from 2022-25, netting 104 tallies over 243 regular-season contests before his trade to Anaheim.
Defensive Additions and Depth
To shore up the blue line, the Blues acquired 29-year-old defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 27 in exchange for two third-round picks in the 2026 draft. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 227 pounds, Carlo brings physical size, length, and penalty-killing experience to the St. Louis back end, according to management.
“It allows us to have four experienced players right now on defense in Philip Broberg, Colton Parayko, Cam Fowler and Carlo now, and then we have those younger guys that are going to push and prod and try to work their way in there,” Armstrong said, listing prospects Logan Mailloux, Theo Lindstein, and Adam Jiricek.
Coaching Staff Additions Under Jim Montgomery
Head coach Jim Montgomery reshaped his bench by bringing in two new assistant coaches after Claude Julien and Mike Weber were not brought back for the upcoming campaign. The Blues added former Ducks coach Greg Cronin, who managed Iowa in the American Hockey League last season, alongside Vaclav Prospal, who spent the past three seasons as an assistant with the AHL’s Rochester Americans.
“Greg is a skilled teacher of defensive habits and the penalty kill with experience as a head coach and assistant that will benefit our vets and young elites equally,” Montgomery stated. Regarding Prospal, Montgomery noted that “Vinny” provides a creative offensive mind honed during his playing career on the power play and at 5-on-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Blues trade Jordan Kyrou for?
The Blues traded Jordan Kyrou to Anaheim in a package that brought 25-year-old forward Connor McMichael, 19-year-old prospect Milton Gastrin, and the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to St. Louis.
Who did St. Louis acquire from Anaheim on June 26?
St. Louis acquired 23-year-old forward Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for two first-round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Which veteran defenseman was added to the Blues roster?
The Blues acquired 29-year-old defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 27 in exchange for two third-round picks in the 2026 draft.
Who joined Jim Montgomery’s coaching staff?
Greg Cronin and Vaclav Prospal joined the St. Louis coaching staff as assistant coaches, replacing Claude Julien and Mike Weber.
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