The NHL has been flipped upside down the last few days with trades that have seen Brady Tkachuk go to Florida, Simon Nemec to Calgary, William Eklund to Ottawa, and now you can include the Washington Capitals in that conversation as General Manager Chris Patrick made a splash by making a deal with the St. Louis Blues.
The Capitals acquired top six forward Jordan Kyrou from the Blues for forward Connor McMichael, the 16th overall pick in this weekend’s NHL Draft, and forward prospect Milton Gastrin.
“We are thrilled to acquire Jordan and welcome him to our team,” said Patrick. “Jordan is an exceptionally talented and dynamic offensive player who will make an immediate impact on our club. His skill, creativity, and ability to generate offense at an elite level will be a tremendous addition to our group. At just 28 years old and under contract for the next five seasons, Jordan is entering the prime years of his career. We believe he is an ideal fit for our team both now and for the long term.”
Kyrou, 28, has recorded three 30 goal seasons having reached the mark in consecutive seasons from 2022-23 to 2024-25. In his past five seasons with the Blues, Kyrou ranked firs ton the Blues in goals (149), powerplay goals (35), even-strength goals (114), shot (1,123), and games played (389). This past season, despite averaging 15:44 for 12th in ice time on the Blues, Kyrou was fifth on the team in goals (18) and points (46).
Kyrou will be entering the 4th year of his 8 year deal that he signed with the Blues back in September 2022, and will carry an $8.125 million cap hit. Kyrou’s current contract runs through the 2030-31 season. The Capitals have a projected cap space of around $23.225 million to work with to continue to add and still see if captain Alex Ovechkin will be returning or not for the 2026-27 season.
Heading to the Blues, McMichael, 25, had a down season recording 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points after having a breakout 2024-25 season. McMichael is also an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is due for a raise as well.
“We would also like to sincerely thank Connor for everything he has contributed to our club,” Patrick added. “Since being drafted in 2019, Connor has represented our team with professionalism and class both on and off the ice. We wish him and his family nothing but success as he begins this next chapter with St. Louis.”
The Blues also gain 19-year old Gastrin, who was the Capitals second round (37th overall) pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, who played last season for MoDo Hockey of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). The Blues also now have four first round in the 2026 NHL Draft holding the 11th, 15th, 16th, and 29th picks.
The Capitals meanwhile still holds the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft that they received from Anaheim as part of the John Carlson trade.
*Quotes and Feature Graphic courtesy of the Washington Capitals. (NHL)