Washington Capitals newly acquired centerman Dylan Strome held his first press availability for Capitals media Tuesday morning via Zoom. Strome was signed by the Capitals to a one-year, $3,500,000 deal on the second day of free agency.
Strome said it was a couple of crazy days last week, and was surprised he didn’t get a qualifying offer from the Chicago Blackhawks.
“I think it was a process I never really expected to go through, this early. I found out on Thursday or Friday that the Blackhawks weren’t going to be giving me a qualifying offer. So your mind quickly switches to what’s gonna happen next, where you might end up.”
Dylan Strome is holding his first #ALLCAPS media availability. Said he found out about Caps offer on the first fairway last week. pic.twitter.com/2cx0KNIrvz
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) July 19, 2022
Strome, who was the third overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, will be a restricted free agent (RFA) at the end of the 2022-23 season, because he signed just a one-year deal with the Capitals. He looks at it as an opportunity to establish himself as a top-tier center in the league.
“I’m just looking forward to the opportunity, I haven’t been through this process before. It’s been a long time since I started on a new teem with all new faces,” said Strome. “I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Strome: Had a lot of teams interested in him, believed Washington’s winning ways and style of play helped him decide on Washington. Played with Connor Brown, said Brown is a big competitor. #ALLCAPS
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) July 19, 2022
Strome tallied 22 goals, 48 points, a 48.87% five-on-five expected goals-for percentage, a 52.3% faceoff-winning percentage, and an average of 2:42 of power-play ice-time per game in 69 games last season. He feels his best position on the power play is down low.
Strome: Played down low on the power play in Chicago, feels it is best spot for him. #ALLCAPS
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) July 19, 2022
Strome will likely slide in as the Capitals’ second-line center and could play on the second power play with Nicklas Backstrom out indefinitely after undergoing a hip resurfacing surgery in June.
Strome spoke with Connor Brown, who the Capitals acquired via trade with the Ottawa Senators last week. Strome and Brown were previous teammates on the Erie Otters (OHL) for the 2013-14 season. Strome has also played with several other players acquired by the Capitals last week, including Henrik Borgstrom and Erik Gustafsson in Chicago and Darcey Keumper in Arizona.
Strome said Tom Wilson also reached out to him to welcome him to team. “I worked out with him a few years ago. Obviously happy to being on his side of the ice, this time, instead of playing against hi. Looking forward to that.”
Entire presser:
By Jon Sorensen