ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Blues locked up the final contract on their 2026-27 signing of Connor McMichael this week.McMichael’s six-year, $40.5 million deal ($6.75 million AAV) gave the Blues a full, 23-man roster with a salary-cap hit of $99.6 million, leaving them $4.4 million under the NHL’s cap for the 2026-27 season.McMichael, whom the Blues acquired in the trade with the Washington Capitals for Jordan Kyrou, was one of many topics asked about in the 300-plus questions submitted by subscribers.In Part 1, we’ll go rapid-fire with the responses.(Note: Some questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity.)With four first-round picks in the NHL Draft, how’d we do? As expected, better, or worse? — Patrick L.Overall, good. They wanted to add more talent between the ages of 23 and 26, and while there are concerns about Mason McTavish, I like the chance the Blues are taking and would’ve traded Nos. 15 and 29 for him.They held firm by not moving the No. 11 pick and brought in a quality center in Tynan Lawrence. The only question mark, to me, is drafting center Maddox Dagenais over winger Ethan Belchetz, but perhaps they know something we don’t know.What are your thoughts on the combined impact of the trades for Brayden Schenn, Justin Faulk and Kyrou, as all of the draft picks have been made? — BrettsteinbrueckThey got more than I would’ve anticipated, but we won’t truly be able to evaluate the return for a few years. They received 11 assets — McMichael, Milton Gastrin, Dmitri Buchelnikov, Marcus Gidlof, Jonathan Drouin and Justin Holl; three first-round picks (two traded to Anaheim for McTavish and one to draft Dagenais), and two third-round picks (both traded to Toronto for Brandon Carlo).They bought out Drouin’s contract and didn’t re-sign Holl, but that’s still nine assets. Again, time will tell, but in moving Schenn, Faulk and Kyrou — two aging veterans and a core player they wanted to move on from — they’ve added help for the immediate and long-term future.This is the youngest team Jim Montgomery has had since entering the league, and he sounds excited. Do you see his coaching/teaching change this season? — Silas A.I don’t see it changing. But as I witnessed toward the end of last season when the Blues brought in Theo Lindstein and bumped Logan Mailloux to the top pair, there was a lot more instruction in practice. With the start of a new season in 2026-27, it will take a good amount of balance by Montgomery to make sure the young Blues are learning and keeping things moving. But that’s one of his stronger traits, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem.With only four preseason games, how do the Blues give the young guys some time while prepping the NHLers for the season? — Anonymous U.Ever since The Athletic wrote about the shorter preseason being a possibility in October 2024, it’s been widely assumed that young prospects wouldn’t see as much opportunity. Some may still get a game or two, but with the schedule dropping from eight games down to four, veterans will want to get in a few. My guess is the Blues will prioritize the vets being ready for the season over the prospects getting exhibition experience.Will the Blues hold a prospect camp before main camp so we can see the new draft picks in St. Louis? — KristenellaThe Blues development camp this season was off ice, so fans weren’t able to see the 2026 draft picks. Yes, some of the picks will be on the roster for the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase in September, and typically the club holds a couple of practices in St. Louis before leaving (it’s in Chicago this season).How much does the shortened training camp and preseason schedules hurt a team that added a lot of new core pieces? — Nick R.I think the short preseason will benefit the Blues. No. 1, they’ve had horrific starts the past few seasons, so a change of pace is much welcomed. And No. 2, they won’t have a lot of time to think about anything and it’ll force the roster to come together quicker.With the 84-game schedule and the lack of a three-week break, is the Blues’ training staff doing anything differently heading into the season to keep players healthy? — Jacob B.This is a great question, but unfortunately I don’t have your answer at the moment. My hope is to write a story about this when we get to training camp, when I’ll be able to speak to Montgomery and perhaps a few players about it.The Ducks traded Mason McTavish to the Blues in exchange for two first-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. (Gary A. Vasquez / Imagn Images)I love the gamble with McTavish, but it feels like the focus has been on depth and heart-and-soul players rather than a major impact player. Agree? — Matt H.It’s a fair point, but you can only judge the job they do on who’s available. The Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk didn’t want to come to St. Louis. There were conflicting reports about whether the Dallas Stars’ Jason Robertson was interested. Until they can land that type of player, they have to bring in somebody to help and they hope it’s McTavish.In a world where Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet gets signed before the draft, does Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek still trade McTavish? — James F.Yes. Carlsson is a potential franchise center and McTavish, who Anaheim wanted to move, may be a No. 2. If the offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers came before the draft, and if Verbeek would’ve let Carlsson walk, maybe McTavish isn’t traded. But what transpired was what the Ducks wanted, except for Carlsson’s $18 million-per-year price tag.There’s a stat where the vast majority of players that go to arbitration do not remain with their current team much longer. Will the Blues smooth things over with McMichael? — Philip I.The stat you’re referring to was in The Athletic several years ago: Of 27 players who had arbitration hearings over the span of a decade, 21 of them (77 percent) were playing for a different team within three years. That’s if the case was heard in arbitration, when teams are allowed to disparage players. McMichael’s case never made it to the hearing.How do the Blues see their Nos. 2-4 centers? — Joseph R.Based on what the Blues have said in recent months, I see McTavish No. 2, Dalibor Dvorsky No. 3 and Jack Finley battling Dillon Dube and perhaps Oskar Sundqvist for No. 4.If McMichael ends up in the No. 2 center spot, does McTavish or Dvorsky move to the wing? — Steven C.Either one is possible, but if McMichael is moved to center, it’s probably because McTavish hasn’t looked good in the middle. I think they want to keep Dvorsky in the middle, so my guess would be McTavish, who’s played a lot on the wing in his career.Take it or leave it: McTavish and McMichael both finish with 50-plus points? — Shawn G.If that happens, considering each player has just one 50-point season on their resume, it’ll be a win for the Blues. If they play together and perform well, there’s a greater chance of it happening, right? For now, I’ll say McTavish gets there, but McMichael falls just short.Any update on numbers for the new Blues players? — Christopher D.I.My understanding is that the Blues will announce numbers next week.Do you think Montgomery is concerned about the forward group being too left-handed? — Brian B.They were left-shot heavy before trading Kyrou (right) and adding McTavish (left), McMichael (left) and Johnston (left), so yeah, it’s a bit one-sided. But on the right wing, after Jimmy Snuggerud (right), they’ve got Pavel Buchnevich (left), Jonatan Berggren (left), Pius Suter (left) and Otto Stenberg (left), who can play on the right side. Where it matters the most is on the power play, so we’ll have to see what that set up looks like in camp.Is it fair to have real concerns about the foot speed of the forward group? — Matt M.Yes, that’s legit. You’re losing Kyrou, who didn’t always use his speed to his strength, but it was always a threat. You’re bringing in McTavish and skating has been an issue with him. There’s always been concern about Dvorsky’s wheels, and Snuggerud to a lesser extent.What is the Blues identity? Are we a rush team? A cycle team? Heavy forecheck team? — Dustin H.They want to be a mix. You have to be able to rush the puck in today’s game and the Blues have the ability with Robert Thomas, Dylan Holloway, etc. But they also want to be heavy on the forecheck and hard to play against in front of the offensive net, which is why they brought in McTavish and Ross Johnston.How likely is it that the Blues go to camp with Suter, Dube, Finley, Nathan Walker, Alexey Toropchenko, Otto Stenberg and Oskar Sundqvist? — Dylan C.Unless they’re looking to trade Suter, I see all of those players in camp with a chance to make the team. Suter, 30, with one season left on his contract ($4.125 million AAV), would seem to have some value that may be able to yield a defenseman in a deal. But he’s a low-maintenance player who could provide stability and help mentor the young guys.With Sundqvist’s new contract being a two-way deal, do you see the Blues bringing him back primarily as a mentor to the younger players in Springfield? — David B.Sundqvist still believes he can help this club, and used properly, perhaps he can. But if it becomes evident that he can’t, yes, he will do whatever the organization asks of him.Who do you see as the defensive pairings, and an extra, on opening night? — Dane C.Philip Broberg-Colton ParaykoCam Fowler-Logan MaillouxTheo Lindstein-Brandon CarloTyler TuckerFans seem certain that Adam Jiricek comes in this season and takes over a spot. Thoughts? — John B.When I interviewed former Blues defenseman Jay McKee, who was Jiricek’s coach in junior hockey, he believed the 2024 first-round pick would get a long look in camp. But with the addition of Carlo, it appears clear that the team wants Jiricek to get his feet under him in Springfield and take it from there.Which prospect not currently projected to make the opening-night roster has the best chance to force the Blues’ hand? — Andrew P.Justin Carbonneau. I don’t believe he’ll make it — he’ll likely start in Springfield and get a call-up at some point — but people around the team were really impressed with Carbonneau when he was in St. Louis for development camp and I think he’s going to be really noticeable in camp.What prospect is more likely to play the most games this season: Stenberg, Carbonneau, Jiricek and Theo Lindstein? — Shawn G.Stenberg. He may not be with the Blues at the start of the season and Lindstein might, so it’s tough to answer. But, to me, Stenberg’s disciplined game lends itself to potentially more games this season.Five years from now, going into the 2031-32 season, which player from the current roster will be the best Blue? — Adam S.Snuggerud. He’s going to be the next Blues player to score 40 goals.What is your prediction for Snuggerud’s next contract (AAV and term)? — Todd L.He’s entering the final season of his entry-level contract, so he’s eligible for a deal at any time. If the two sides are interested in an extension before the season gets rolling, it seems unlikely but perhaps it’s a bridge deal and the Blues get him at a reasonable AAV. But if the puck drops and Snuggerud gets rolling, I could see a seven-year deal (the max under the new CBA that starts in September) with an AAV of $10 million plus.What’s one question about this Blues team you don’t think fans are asking enough? — Tim W.Nope, you just about covered it all, and what we didn’t touch on today, we’ll get to in Part 2.