Dylan Strome is just 25 years old so naturally he was new to the free agency game this summer. On the second day of free agency, he was out golfing until he got a phone call from his agent with the news that he was offered a one year, $3.5 million deal with the Washington Capitals.
It was a slam dunk decision and a no brainer.
Despite having a career year with the Chicago Blackhawks that saw him score a career high 22 goals and 48 points, the team didn’t give him a qualifying offer, allowing him to test the market.
Strome told the media on Zoom this morning:
"“I think it was a process I never really expected to go through this early. There was 31 others teams where I could have gone to or wanted me, I guess I should say. It was a crazy couple of days… I’m very excited and very fortunate that a team like Washington reached out and I couldn’t be happier to get started.”"
Strome was the third overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft so when his name was available he was definitely of interest to a lot of teams. But both sides feel like the Capitals were a perfect match for him and a chance to elevate his game.
And he will enter a big role this upcoming season. With Nicklas Backstrom out for the long term, there’s an opening at second line center which would be perfect for him no matter who’s next to him.
Strome added:
"“I think the way they play… they obviously have the championship pedigree, I think. I haven’t played in the playoffs in the NHL — I’m not sure if we count the bubble as playoffs — but got to play a few games there. Obviously, there was no crowd, so it wasn’t the same. But I think just everything about their team, like I said, the way they play, their style of game, I think it fits into my game really good. Obviously, some great wingers to play with as well. So I think you add all those factors in and obviously a good team that makes the playoffs almost every year. I think it’s very exciting.”"
The Caps are an attractive destination every year but for a young center like Strome looking to take his game to the next level, it’s the perfect fit. Now he looks to step up. Backstrom is irreplaceable but Strome could come close.