Dylan Strome
I keep saying this and I keep saying it because I mostly cannot believe it. Dylan Strome is the biggest steal in the NHL.
I think you could make the case that Strome is the best player on the Capitals. Yes, Ovechkin had an explosive start to this season. And he had a very good end to last season as well. Others on this team have had moments as well. Like Tom Wilson to start this season. But I think Strome has been the most consistent player on this team since the start of last season.
To tell you how big of a steal his contract is just know this. Strome could be the best player on the Capitals, he is the 8th highest paid player on the Capitals books right now. Strome's cap hit is $5 million a year. Andrew Mangiapane has a higher cap hit than Strome does, his hit being $5.8 million. And Strome's deal doesn't run out until 2028. Incredible deal for the Capitals. Actually a pretty bad deal for Strome.
Strome leads the team in points this year having 28 points in the teams 19 games. He has scored 6 goals and has 22 assists. He currently is 3rd in the entire NHL is total assists. He's behind only Nathan MacKinnon and Jack Eichel. Players who most would call elite.
We're talking about this seasons MVP's on the team so far, but I think this is worth noting when it comes to Strome.
Since February 6th last season Strome has 50 assists in 54 games played. Those 50 helpers have him fourth in the league in that time. He's behind only McDavid (69), Kucherov (65), and MacKinnon (63). Without showing how many assists all these guys have, he's ahead of high profile players like Panarin, Marner, Kaprizov, Draisaitl, Crosby, Makar, the Hughes brothers, and whoever else you want to think of.
Strome has turned into a no doubt top line center on this team. Something that helps in being a top line center is being good at faceoffs. So far this season he has won 166 draws while losing 133. That meaning he is winning over 55% of the faceoffs he takes. That's the best on the team among usual faceoff takers.
He's consistent, he puts up the points you want a top line player to put up. He's been great. Easily an MVP on this team for me.