The Blues reshaped their top six this offseason, and the two names drawing the most attention are Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael. Alex Steen and the new front office made clear they wanted more consistency and more punch from the top two lines, and both additions are expected to help raise the team’s offensive ceiling.
The bigger question for Blues fans is which one will finish with more points.
McTavish looks like the safer bet to lead the pair. He’s expected to be a regular in the top six, most likely handling second-line center duties for most of the season while also getting chances on the first line. On top of that, he should be part of the Blues’ top power-play unit, which gives him a steady path to points.
McMichael’s situation is less settled. He’s currently projected to play wing on the second line, but he’s viewed more as a middle-six winger who can move between the second and third lines.
That kind of flexibility can help a team, but it also means his role may not be as stable. He’s also likely to see fewer power-play chances than McTavish.
There’s also a clear difference in how they create offense. NHL Edge data showed McTavish’s shot ranked in the 91st percentile, and that kind of profile lets him score from all over the ice.
McMichael, by contrast, gets most of his production from the high-danger zone. If opponents keep him out of that area, his impact drops.
Age could matter here too. Both players are still under 26, but McTavish will turn 24 this season, which leaves room for another jump in his game. McMichael will be 26, an age when players are often closer to their finished product.
Both forwards are set to play important roles for the Blues in 2026-27, but McTavish has the higher point ceiling. Between the role, the power-play work and the upside, he should finish ahead of McMichael.
In Other News...
Blues Fans May Not Have To Wait Long For Carbonneau
Robert Thomas being named the 25th captain in Blues franchise history at 27 gives St. Louis a clear new face for the room as the organization moves into another season with expectations attached. It also frames the next wave of talent behind him, including first-round pick Justin Carbonneau, whose arrival is already part of the conversation even before he skates in an NHL game.
Carbonneau is expected to begin the year in Springfield, but the timetable around him may not stay quiet for long. St. Louis has a critical December stretch on the schedule, and the way the Blues handle that month could shape when the winger gets his shot, especially if the season turns bumpy or the roster gets tested by injuries. [Read more 🡒]
Blues May Have A Bigger Jimmy Snuggerud Debate Than Fans Think
With Robert Thomas now officially installed as the 25th captain and Blues games set to land on Prime, St. Louis has been getting a fresh round of attention heading into the season. Another recent snapshot of where the roster stands came from The Athletics annual Top 150 NHL players list, which included several Blues players and offered another reminder that this group has enough recognizable talent to matter beyond the Central Division conversation.
Still, the bigger debate for the Blues might be the one around Jimmy Snuggerud. The young winger has already put himself on the radar as a player with real upside, and his name belongs in the kind of league-wide discussion that usually separates promising pieces from established ones. Whether he is already there is a separate question, but it is one St. Louis can expect to keep hearing as his role and reputation continue to grow. [Read more 🡒]