Blues trade for McTavish, McMichael in hopes of boosting scoring
The St. Louis Blues are reshaping their roster as they prepare for the 2026-27 season. After finishing fifth in the Central Division last year and missing the playoffs, the team prioritized offensive production and defensive size during the offseason. The arrival of Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks and Connor McMichael from the Washington Capitals marks a shift in the team composition. McTavish enters the year with high expectations following a trade that sent draft picks and defenseman Kyle Masters to Anaheim. McMichael brings his scoring touch to a lineup that struggled to generate goals last season.
Defense also saw adjustments with the addition of Brandon Carlo. Acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carlo brings a physical presence at 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds to the back end. These moves arrive alongside the departure of veteran forward Jordan Kyrou, who spent several seasons with the franchise. The Blues hope these changes will rectify their low scoring output, which averaged 2.80 goals per game in the previous campaign.
The team remains focused on developing internal talent alongside these veteran acquisitions. Young players like Otto Stenberg and Theo Lindstein are expected to contribute more significantly after receiving ice time last year. Management anticipates that these individuals, combined with a fresh core, will provide the necessary depth to compete in a tough division. While the current roster shows better balance, the front office still tracks the need for additional top-six scoring support to maximize the potential of their primary lines.
With the regular season starting Sept. 29, the focus now shifts to training camp and team chemistry. McTavish expressed high motivation for the upcoming start, citing his desire to improve on his previous performances. The coaching staff faces the task of integrating new arrivals while maintaining the existing chemistry between players like Robert Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud. The team views these transitions as a necessary step to return to the postseason.