How Dylan Strome Reacted Leaving Chicago: Thinks He Fits in With the Washington Capitals

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William
July 21, 2022 (1:08)

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After not being issued a qualifying offer from the Blackhawks, Dylan Strome became an unrestricted free agent. He waited on free agent day, but never got a call.

So, he went to play a round of golf the next day and on the first tee received a call from his agent telling him that the Washington Capitals had signed him to a one-year $3.5 million contract.

Strome mentioned,

It was a crazy couple of days, he said Tuesday during a video conference call with reporters. I'm very excited and very fortunate that a team like Washington reached out, and I couldn't be happier to get started.

Strome had a pretty good year with 22 goals, 26 assists in 69 games. Much can be attributed to him playing on a line with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.

He looks to be able to be a second-line center due to Nicklas Backstrom's injury requiring hip resurfacing surgery. Strome can also play on the wing if needed.

His reaction to the trade to Washington allowing him a whole new start is here:

https://www.tsn.ca/NHL/video/strome-on-joining-caps-they-have-that-championship-pedigree~2486112

For whatever reason, Strome didn't fit into new GM Kyle Davidson's rebuilding plans even though he is only 25 years old. He had a slow start and was a healthy scratch during Jeremy Colliton time behind the bench.

But in the last 34 games of the season he excelled with 14 goals, 14 assists to show his worth. Apparently, Davidson didn't see a future for Strome in the mix of a rebuild. But, who knows?

One thing is certain, the former third overall pick in 2015 by the Arizona Coyotes has plenty to prove and who wouldn't look forward to playing with a legend like Alex Ovechkin?

Look for Strome to do nicely in his new role in Washington. He already knows quite a few players on the Caps. They include Connor Brown, Darcy Kuemper, Erik Gustafsson and forward Henrik Borgström.