Dylan Strome's Fantastic Season, Could've Been Even Better

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Michael
April 8, 2022 (1:37 PM)

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The Blackhawks have had a few bright spots in a season without very many. Currently sitting at 24-35-11 and 7th in the central division, it definitely has been a season to forget for the Blackhawks. However, a few players have really stood out for the Blackhawks amidst all of the losses. And of those players is center Dylan Strome. Dylan Strome is currently sitting at 20 goals and 23 assists. 11 of those goals have come in the last 15 games. Strome is a former 3rd overall pick of the Arizona Coyotes. He was acquired by the Blackhawks via trade following three years in Arizona.

Many fans were very excited about this acquisition. Sure maybe his first two seasons in Arizona were rough, but he found his footing in that third season scoring 20 goals on the year with 37 assists. So many Blackhawks fans were hoping to see that play translate when he got to Chicago. However, due to circumstances that were often out of his control, he was hardly given any opportunities. Especially early on this season. Jeremy Colliton was constantly healthy scratching Strome, keeping him off the ice and out of the game completely. And when he was given an opportunity, it was often with line mates that he clearly didn't mesh well with. But for whatever reason, Jeremy Colliton (and even Derek King to a degree after he was named interim head coach) continued to put him in a position that made it hard to succeed.

When Derek King finally realized Strome can be when put on the top line with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat and have a lot of success, his season started to turn around for the better. In the first 5 months of the season, Dylan Strome saw more than 20 minutes of ice time a whooping three times. Since then he has played over 20 minutes 11 times. Dylan Strome is without a doubt in the midst of of his best NHL season thus far, but it honestly could have been a lot better if given more opportunities.