Washington Capitals' Prime Middle Rips Off Bust Label As Ovechkin's Helper

For the primary six years of his NHL profession, some checked out middle Dylan Strome as considerably of a draft bust.

The 27-year-old was chosen third total by the Arizona Coyotes in 2015, and Strome initially didn’t get out to a terrific begin to his NHL days. His ice time wasn’t all that prime at instances, and the nice stretches did not final as lengthy.

Slowly however absolutely, nevertheless, Strome has developed right into a dependable top-six ahead and one of many Washington Capitals’ finest level producers.

Strome at the moment has 18 assists and 22 factors in simply 14 video games with Washington this season. His level totals are fifth-best in the complete NHL, and his help whole is third-best within the league.

If he continues at this tempo, Strome will simply beat his career-best totals of 42 assists and 67 factors, each of which had been posted within the final two seasons. Though famous person left winger Alex Ovechkin continues to be the draw that stirs the drink in D.C., Strome is getting into his prime, and higher days may very well be forward of him.

Certain, there have been instances no person was certain what Strome can be. He had a breakout marketing campaign in 2018-19 after the Coyotes traded him to Chicago, getting 51 factors in 58 video games with the Blackhawks that season. However the scoring slowed within the years that adopted.

Issues took a optimistic flip for him in his ultimate 12 months as a Blackhawk in 2021-22, when he generated 22 objectives and 48 factors in 69 video games. That solely bought him a one-year contract with Washington at first. The next two seasons noticed him submit not less than 22 objectives and 65 factors, the place he established himself on the Capitals.

Strome is now in the second year of a five-year, $25-million contract. His common annual wage of $5 million makes him one of many higher bargains within the recreation.

Whereas Strome’s aim totals have been more and more spectacular, it’s Strome’s talent as an elite facilitator that now stands out. He’s the Capitals’ No. 1 middle – and although he’s not a top-10 pivot within the NHL, Strome is doing every little thing in his energy to make the Caps probably the most harmful squads within the league.

Taking part in on the identical line as Ovechkin definitely helps Strome’s numbers on offense – Strome has assisted on all 10 of Ovechkin’s objectives – however it’s a must to give Strome credit score for persevering with to enhance his all-around recreation 12 months in and 12 months out.

Strome is, in essence, taking on the position in Washington lengthy occupied by star facilities Nicklas Backstrom and Evegny Kuznetsov. Backstrom, specifically, was lengthy Ovechkin’s setup man, with about 74 % (762) of his 1,033 factors coming within the help column. Strome’s comparatively younger age means he may very well be in that position for a few years to come back.

“I’ve heard 1,000 tales about how nice of a teammate (Backstrom) is, and I bought to witness that firsthand and the way good he was for the Caps and for this workforce and as Ovi’s middle,” Strome instructed reporters, including The Hockey News’ Sammi Silber.

As his place within the Caps’ group solidifies, Strome doesn’t should do all of the heavy lifting for Washington. But when he produces at an assist-per-game tempo the way in which he is producing proper now, the Capitals shall be over the moon with the funding they made in him.

Generally it takes shifting from one or two groups (or, on this case, three) earlier than an NHLer finds their peak type – and that’s definitely true of Strome’s journey. He’s now in his tenth season in hockey’s prime league, and Strome appears to have many extra stable years forward of him.

As Washington continues to do notable injury within the Metropolitan Division standings, Strome has completed every little thing requested of him and extra. In sum, he is realized his potential, and every little thing else he does from this level on is gravy.

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