Blues lock up McMichael on six-year deal as Steen's offseason takes shape

St. Louis signed recently acquired forward Connor McMichael to a six-year, $40.5 million contract Thursday, avoiding arbitration and securing one of the offseason's key acquisitions at $6.75 million per year in average annual value.

The deal is the most visible move yet for general manager Alex Steen, who took over the role from Doug Armstrong. McMichael was already in the fold via trade, so the signing converts that acquisition into a long-term commitment rather than a short-term rental situation.

St. Louis finished 2026 at 37-45 but closed the season on a four-game winning streak, and the front office is now building around that late momentum. McMichael's contract runs through the back half of the decade alongside established forwards like Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich.