Alex Steen and the new Blues front office did a lot of work this offseason, giving the top six a makeover. If they wanted to have a more consistent season, they needed to shake up the roster and get more production from their top two lines. The addition of Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael should help increase the Blues' offensive production. But the question every Blues fan is asking is which one will have a better season point-wise.
Who is going to be the main point driver of the offseason acquisition
While both players should be among the top point-getters on the Blues, McTavish will be the one to get more points. Of the two players, McTavish will have more opportunities to generate offense. For starters, McTavish is expected to be a permanent fixture of the top six. He should be the second-line center for the majority of the season, and could get some looks on the first line. He also should be a part of the Blues' top power-play unit.
McMichael, on the other hand, does not have a set role yet. While he is currently projected to be a winger on the second line. But unlike McTavish, McMichael is viewed more as a middle-six winger. Someone with the versatility to thrive on either the second or third line. It feels like McMichael will bounce back and forth between the second and third line before he is given his role. He will also have far fewer power-play opportunities than McTavish.
There is also the fact that McTavish is a threat from anywhere on the ice. According to NHL Edge, McTavish had a shot that ranked in the 91st percentile. This allowed him to fire shots from anywhere on the ice and have them get into the back of the net. However, McMichaels gets most of his production from the high-danger zone. If teams are able to keep him out of this area, his production will fall off, and he will not be able to be as effective.
Age is also an advantage for McTavish. Sure, both forwards are under the age of 26. But McTavish will only turn 24 years old this season. He is still developing and can still take major steps in his play. He can easily take another step this season and take a huge step forward. McMichaels, on the other hand, will be 26 this season, and it is around the time when players stop developing. While there are late bloomers, you normally reach your full potential around this age.
Although both players will play a big role for the Blues in 2026-27, McTavish should have a higher point total. His upside and the amount of play time he'll get should put him ahead of McMichael.
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