St. Louis Blues GM Steen Learning From Armstrong’s Biggest Mistake With Connor McMichael’s Contract – The Hockey Writers – St Louis Blues

The biggest move of the St. Louis Blues’ summer was trading Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals. The return included forward Connor McMichael, whom new General Manager (GM) Alexander Steen signed to a six-year extension, making him an unrestricted free agent when it expires after 2031-32.

While extending the young forward is a smart move as the organization looks to become a contender once again, McMichael has a no-trade clause, which is a sign Steen is learning from former GM Doug Armstrong‘s biggest mistake.

McMichael’s No-Trade Protection

McMichael was given no-trade protection, but the terms are reasonable. The first three seasons of the contract do not include a no-trade clause at all. As of 2028-29, a three-team no-trade list goes into effect.

This is a fair deal. The Blues have control for the next three seasons, and if they decide McMichael is not playing to the level they were hoping for, they can move him. However, if all goes well, the Ontario native will have some control over his future. Both sides have some leverage, but not an unreasonable amount.

Steen is investing in a 23-year-old forward just a season removed from scoring 26 goals, which is reasonable. However, it may show us how he plans to handle clauses in the future.

Armstrong’s Biggest Mistake

Armstrong is the architect of the 2019 Stanley Cup-winning Blues. His work to make the team a consistent contender should be celebrated. However, he made his biggest mistake handling contract clauses.

Pietrangelo likely would have stayed in St. Louis had Armstrong included a no-movement clause (prevents a player from being traded, waived, or assigned to the minors without their approval) in his new deal. However, he believed it was not good for the organization to give so much control to a player. Pietrangelo signed with the Vegas Golden Knights as a free agent and received his full no-movement clause.

Armstrong let the Cup-winning captain walk over a no-movement clause, but repeatedly gave no-trade clauses to other players. While no-trade clauses offer a little more control to the organization, the difference is not enough to justify losing Pietrangelo.

Armstrong was handcuffed twice more by his clauses. A 2023 trade that would have sent Torey Krug to the Philadelphia Flyers was nixed by the defenseman using his no-trade clause (from ‘Blues’ Torey Krug Had Every Right to Invoke His No-Trade Clause, But Now the Pressure’s On,’ The Athletic, Sept. 26, 2023). This past deadline, Colton Parayko exercised his clause to veto a trade to the Buffalo Sabres.

Armstrong did not want to give Pietrangelo too much control, yet he got bit twice by clauses of his making.

Steen is Learning From the Mistake

Steen’s first extension as GM shows he knows not to make the same mistakes as his predecessor. Clauses are not bad; they can be useful in convincing a player to sign. However, they need to be used smartly. McMichael’s no-trade clause is appropriate to the situation. It is not excessive, and it does not give the player too much control. Steen found excellent middle ground.

Each new contract Steen negotiates will pose different challenges. Of course, there will be some contracts where a no-trade clause, or even a no-movement clause, is a given. Jimmy Snuggerud’s next contract may warrant one, and if it keeps him in St. Louis long term, it will be worth it.

Fans should take comfort knowing that Steen is going to evaluate each new contract case by case and look for a reasonable deal. Could there be some misses? Of course. It is the nature of the business. However, the McMichael contract shows Steen’s awareness of the situation and how to find middle ground. For a rookie GM in his first month on the job, that is a positive sign.