For the better part of two years, the Washington Capitals’ front office has been transparent about its search for a high-end forward. On Tuesday afternoon, they completed that mission by acquiring Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues, adding a proven 30-goal scorer to their lineup.
Read more Wizards select BYU star AJ Dybantsa with top pick in NBA draft
Washington sent forward Connor McMichael, center prospect Milton Gastrin — who was drafted in the second round last year — and the No. 16 pick in this year’s draft to St. Louis. The Capitals still hold the No. 18 pick in Friday’s first round, which they received from the Anaheim Ducks in the John Carlson deal.
“Jordan is an exceptionally talented and dynamic offensive player who will make an immediate impact on our club,” Capitals General Manager Chris Patrick said in a statement. “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 is coming off a down season, with just 18 goals and 46 points in 72 games, but the Blues also struggled as a team. In the previous four seasons, his lowest scoring output was 27 goals in 2021-22, when he played 74 games. Kyrou has five years left on the extension he signed with the Blues in 2022, with an average salary of $8.125 million. The salary cap has risen considerably since then and will be $104 million in 2026-27.
McMichael, 25, broke out in 2024-25 with 26 goals and 57 points while playing all 82 games but regressed somewhat as a goal scorer last season. He’s a pending restricted free agent, with his previous contract — which paid him $2.1 million per season — set to expire June 30, and the Capitals were likely to be on the hook for a significant raise.
Read more Bullpen implosion saddles Nats with a crushing loss to Phillies
While McMichael’s flexibility to play both center and wing was valuable for Washington, it also left him without a written-in-ink spot in the lineup. As a center, he was best suited to the third line, but he could play higher in the lineup on the wing — in one of the spots that Kyrou will now fill, and at a higher level than McMichael showed.
“We would also like to sincerely thank Connor for everything he has contributed to our club,” Patrick said. “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.”
As both a scorer and a playmaker, Kyrou will bring significant offensive ability to a Washington group that has lacked a game-breaking talent. Washington went down to the wire with star free agent Nikolaj Ehlers last summer — he eventually chose the Carolina Hurricanes, then won the Stanley Cup — and has had an eye on the trade market for a while.
The Capitals are taking a swing on Kyrou after his value dipped somewhat, which has been a successful route for them in the past with players such as Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jakob Chychrun.
Read more Mets slugger Juan Soto leaves game against Cubs with back tightness
