The St. Louis Blues have signed forward Connor McMichael to a six-year, $40.5 million contract, the team announced Thursday. The deal carries an annual average value (AAV) of $6.75 million and successfully avoids a salary arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for July 25. McMichael, 25, is a restricted free agent who was acquired by the Blues on June 23. As part of the trade with the Washington Capitals, St. Louis also received forward prospect Milton Gastrin and the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft in exchange for forward Jordan Kyrou.
Contract Resolution and Arbitration Avoidance
McMichael had filed for salary arbitration on July 5, and the process was set to conclude between July 20 and August 1. By settling on a long-term agreement, the Blues avoided the potential conflict of building a formal case against their own player during a hearing. The new contract represents a significant raise from his previous two-year, $4.2 million deal, which had an AAV of $2.1 million. According to team reports, the six-year term allows the organization to buy out four years of what would have been unrestricted free agency. With this signing, McMichael now holds the fifth-highest AAV among St. Louis forwards, trailing Robert Thomas ($8.125 million), Pavel Buchnevich ($8 million), Dylan Holloway ($7.75 million), and Mason McTavish ($7 million).
Background and Professional Development
Selected 25th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Ajax, Ontario native spent six seasons within the Capitals organization. Over 315 regular-season NHL games, McMichael has recorded 154 points, consisting of 67 goals and 87 assists, alongside 130 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 18 Stanley Cup Playoff games, contributing five goals and three assists. McMichael’s career reached a statistical high during the 2024-25 season, when he recorded 26 goals and 31 assists for a total of 57 points across 82 games. While his production dipped slightly last season to 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists) in 78 games, the Blues remain confident in his potential as a versatile contributor.
For more on this story, see Alex Tuch Traded to Capitals, Signs 8-Year, $84M Deal.
Strategic Fit for the Blues
Blues president of hockey operations Doug Armstrong highlighted McMichael’s speed and his ability to play multiple positions as key assets for the roster. “A little bit younger, we’ve got control over him for a couple years,” Armstrong noted following the trade. The team views the acquisition as a long-term investment in their young core. McMichael, who has experience at both center and wing, is expected to compete for a top-six role. His arrival coincides with the Blues’ efforts to retool their forward group, which includes young talents like Dylan Holloway and Mason McTavish. “I’m super-excited,” McMichael said following the trade. “It’s a team that’s looking to build and get better and better each year. There’s quite a few guys the same age as me, so that’s real exciting.”
Statistical Overview
The following table summarizes McMichael’s career performance and contract status:
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| NHL Career Regular Season Games | 315 |
| Career Points | 154 (67G, 87A) |
| 2024-25 Season Highs | 57 Points, 26 Goals |
| Contract Term | 6 Years |
| Annual Average Value (AAV) | $6.75 Million |
As the Blues prepare for the upcoming season, the organization anticipates that the security of a long-term contract will allow McMichael to focus on his role within the lineup and provide the consistent scoring production he has demonstrated in recent years.
Find more reporting in our Sport section.
Related reading