Early 2022 predictions for Dylan Strome

One of the newest faces you’ll see on the Washington Capitals this season is Dylan Strome. With Nicklas Backstrom out for possibly the entire season, the Caps needed a top six center who could put up consistent points. They hope they have found that in Strome.

In 69 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, Strome had a career high 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points. He’s been the league for six years after being drafted third overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes.

All of this is good but the biggest question is how well will Strome do on his new team? On the Blackhawks he centered a line with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.

Kane had 26 goals and 66 assists for 92 points while DeBrincat had 41 goals and 37 assists for 78 points. It was a line that gelled all season.

This year Strome should be centering a line alongside Anthony Mantha and T.J. Oshie. Mantha has untapped potential and it’s still early to tell if the Caps won the trade but we should get more clarity this season. Key word is healthy.

Mantha and Oshie missed much of the season with injury problems last year. But could a healthy Mantha and Oshie provide the Caps second line with stability?

On paper it looks like the centers will be Evgeny Kuznetsov, Strome, Lars Eller or Connor McMichael (if he’s ready for it), and Nic Dowd.

Last season the Kane, Strome, and DeBrincat line played 432 minutes together scoring 29 goals while allowing 22. Their Corsi For percentage was 50.60 percent, their Scoring Chances For was 50.48 percent and heir High Danger Chance percentage was 49.39. Their Expected Goals For percentage was 51.87 percent.

I think Strome has the potential to score 25 goals this season. His final numbers will be 25 goals and 29 assists for 54 points. It’ll be a challenge but I’m sure he’s up for it and thrilled to be in Washington.