AHL 2023: AMERICANS VS BEARS JUNE 02 June 02, 2023: Hershey Bears forward Connor McMichael 14 skates with the puck in the first period against the Rochester Americans. The Rochester Americans hosted the Hershey Bears in Game 6 of the American Hockey League Calder Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York. Jonathan Tenca/CSM California USA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20230602_zaf_c04_131.jpg JonathanxTencax csmphotothree111139
AHL 2023: AMERICANS VS BEARS JUNE 02 June 02, 2023: Hershey Bears forward Connor McMichael 14 skates with the puck in the first period against the Rochester Americans. The Rochester Americans hosted the Hershey Bears in Game 6 of the American Hockey League Calder Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York. Jonathan Tenca/CSM California USA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20230602_zaf_c04_131.jpg JonathanxTencax csmphotothree111139
The St. Louis Blues acquired forward Connor McMichael to a six-year contract extension on Thursday, July 16. The deal came days after General Manager Alex Steen took over the job from Doug Armstrong on July 1.
They locked in on their new centre, with a $40.5 million contract holding it through 2031-32 with a $6.75 million annual cap hit. The update came before his arbitration hearing, eliminating the need for arbitration, as reported by analyst Elliotte Friedman.
"Connor McMichael avoids arbitration and signs a six-year contract with the Blues," confirmed Blues official X account.
AHL 2023: AMERICANS VS BEARS MAY 29 May 29, 2023: Hershey Bears forward Connor McMichael 14 skates in the second period against the Rochester Americans. The Rochester Americans hosted the Hershey Bears in Game 4 of the American Hockey League Calder Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York. Jonathan Tenca/CSM California USA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20230529_zaf_c04_096.jpg JonathanxTencax csmphotothree109972
AHL 2023: AMERICANS VS BEARS MAY 29 May 29, 2023: Hershey Bears forward Connor McMichael 14 skates in the second period against the Rochester Americans. The Rochester Americans hosted the Hershey Bears in Game 4 of the American Hockey League Calder Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York. Jonathan Tenca/CSM California USA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20230529_zaf_c04_096.jpg JonathanxTencax csmphotothree109972
The confirmation on X came just three weeks after St. Louis got McMichael from the Washington Capitals on June 23.
According to PuckPedia, the contract holds a $7.5 million salary in the first year, drops to $6.75 million annually for years two to five. It's set to settle at $6 million in the last season.
McMichael had been a restricted free agent this summer. St. Louis gave him a qualifying offer on June 30 to retain his rights before completing the long-term deal.
This extension is a big jump from McMichael's previous contract, when he made $2.1 million each of the past two seasons. And he just signed that after his entry-level deal expired. In 2024-25, he scored 57 points. Last season, he posted 46 points.
Ever since he was drafted 25th overall by the Washington in 2019, McMichael has scored 154 points in 315 career NHL games. St. Louis views him as a long-term player of the middle-six forward group.
This deal was in a busy period for the Blues, who also acquired veteran defenseman Brandon Carlo from Toronto in a separate trade.
McMichael's contract is among the largest deals made during Steen’s time as a general manager so far. They went through the trade route to acquire the center.
The Kyrou Trade Behind the Move
McMichael first got to St. Louis on June 23 as part of a trade that sent winger Jordan Kyrou to Washington.
According to a report from the Washington Capitals, along with McMichael, the Blues also received Milton Gastrin and the Capitals' own 2026 first-round pick, 16th overall, from Washington in exchange for Kyrou.
Kyrou scored 30 or more goals in three straight seasons from 2022-23 to 2024-25. In his final five seasons in St. Louis, Kyrou led the Blues with 149 goals. He even ranked second on the team with 331 points.
Kyrou's best individual season came in 2022-23, when he scored his career-high 37 goals for the Blues.
The Capitals' general manager, Chris Patrick, appreciated Kyrou for his efforts towards Washington while also thanking McMichael for his contributions to the organization ever since being drafted.
“Jordan is an exceptionally talented and dynamic offensive player," Patrick said.
McMichael's new deal now locks him into a similar role in St. Louis, fixing his place in the forward group for the next six years.
What are your thoughts on St. Louis' latest move? Let us know in the comments.
Read more at NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar