Capitals & Blues Linked To Blockbuster Trade
On Daily Faceoff’s The Sheet, Jeff Marek and David Pagnotta both circled Washington as a fit, framing it as a continuation of the Capitals chasing more pace after previously being in on Nikolaj Ehlers.
Why Kyrou fits what Washington keeps chasing
Kyrou is 27, has produced at least 67 points in each of the last four seasons, and he brings the kind of straight line burst that changes how a top six attacks off the rush.
NHL EDGE has his top speed at 22.72 mph, sitting in the 79th percentile, and he even owns some bragging rights as the 2022 NHL All Star Skills fastest skater at 13.550 seconds.
Jordan Kyrou (upper-body injury) will not return to tonight's game. #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 28, 2026
Even in a messy year where he has 24 points, 11 goals and 13 assists, in 43 games and has dealt with a healthy scratch, the on ice numbers are the part that keeps grabbing attention.
With Kyrou on the ice at five on five, the Blues have controlled 54.6 percent of shot attempts and over 62 percent of expected goals, plus more than 61 percent of scoring chances and high danger chances, even if the heavy offensive zone starts tell you how St. Louis has been trying to shelter and maximize him.
The money and the ask are the real fight
This is not a quick rental conversation. Kyrou is signed at an $8.125 million cap hit through 2030 31, and the deal carries trade protection, so any move needs his approval.
Pagnotta’s read is that St. Louis would want to turn a Kyrou deal into a defense upgrade, ideally a young NHL ready defender or one right on the edge, because their blue line depth with term is thin.
I know we're all excited to make a trade, but:
— The Cupitals (@TheCupitals) January 27, 2026
Ryan Leonard: ELC - 52-point pace
Jordan Kyrou: $8.125M - 47-point pace
Be careful what you wish for here, folks. I would be hesitant to bring in a RW to play in front of Leonard. Give me Robertson in a blockbuster.#ALLCAPS
Washington has names that fit that age and timeline range, and the Capitals also have the cap math to solve, with reports pegging them around $7.5 million in current space and projecting more room by deadline day.
Since the 2021-22 season, the 27-year-old has recorded 142 goals and 309 total points across 360 games played.
If the Capitals are serious about adding a fast finisher with term who can help beyond this season, this is the kind of swing that would just juice the lineup, and help with their longer plan too.
Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
