St. Louis Blues Make Qualifying Offers to 2 RFAs

St. Louis Blues General Manager Alexander Steen announced the team has made qualifying offers to forward Connor McMichael and defenseman Leo Loof.

What happened?

The Blues tendered these offers to retain the rights to McMichael and Loof, both restricted free agents.

The team also placed forward Jonathan Drouin on waivers for the purpose of buying out his contract.

Why it matters for St. Louis Blues

McMichael, 25, was acquired via trade from the Washington Capitals on June 23, and recorded 46 points in 78 games last season.

He has totaled 154 points in 315 career regular-season games, with 130 penalty minutes.

What comes next?

Loof, 24, was drafted by the Blues in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft, and recorded six points in 47 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds last season.

The Blues are currently 9th in the Western Conference, with a 37-33 record, and on a W4 streak, having won their last game 3-5 against the Utah Mammoth on April 16, 2026.

And with these roster moves, the team is shaping its lineup for the upcoming season.

But the buyout of Drouin's contract will have implications for the team's salary cap.

So the Blues will need to carefully manage their roster to stay competitive.

The team's fans will be watching closely to see how these moves impact the team's performance.

With McMichael and Loof on board, the Blues are looking to build on their current momentum.

The Blues' management is working to create a strong team dynamic, with a mix of experienced and young players.