The Dylan Strome Dilemma..
Two weeks ago, the «Dylan Strome dilemma» had a bit of a different meaning. At that time the question was whether or not the Blackhawks should trade Dylan Strome or not. Trade rumors were swirling around him for quite some time leading up to the deadline. The Blackhawks decided in the end not to move Strome, leading to a new question. Do the Blackhawks give Dylan Strome his $3.6 million qualifying offer? The other choice being to let him walk in free agency.
Without a doubt the Blackhawks should give Dylan Strome his qualifying offer. He's shown that he can produce on the top line with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. And most likely those three will remain the top line the remainder of the season and into next season if the Blackhawks do decide to keep Strome. He's sitting at 17 goals on the year, 8 coming in the last ten games, where he was playing on the top line with Kane and DeBrincat the majority of the time. Makes you wonder how many more he would have had Jeremy Colliton given him an opportunity, but that's another topic for another day. So while yes when you look at his stats and see 35 points it isn't all that impressive, but you have to realize that it really is a small sample size.
Quite frankly it just simply does not make sense to let Strome walk in free agency. If the Blackhawks wanted to get rid of him, why not do it at the deadline and get something in return? It would really be an all-time head scratcher if that is what happens. Who else would they have in mind to play top line center? Kirby Dach? While I'm far away from the «Kirby Dach is a bust» club, you can't tell me that he has better chemistry with Kane and DeBrincat than Strome does. Just watch one shift with both guys on the top line and it is a night and day difference. Now that's not to say that won't change over time because Dach is still young and will improve over time. It just takes some players a bit longer to fully adjust to the NHL game.
Keeping Dylan Strome for next season does not mean keeping him forever. Although it's possible that he does and becomes a key part of the rebuild. But rebuilds are hard, so tough to say right now. The bottom line to the whole situation, there are very little pros to letting Strome walk. Save $3.6 million? Big whoop. The list of pros is much longer when it comes to keeping Dylan Strome for the 2022-2023 season.
Blackhawks Nation: Michael Wilson
