Screenshot: Washington Capitals
Saturday was “breakdown day” for the Washington Capitals. The day symbolically represents the final day of the 2022-23 season for the team, as players hold final meetings with management and hold their final media availability with local press.
Center Dylan Strome signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Caps last summer after being non-tendered as a Restricted Free Agent by the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year old former first-round pick delivered for Washington this season, posting career-highs in Games Played, Goals, Assists, and Points.
Opinion: The Capitals’; Signing of Dylan Strome Could Prove To Be the Steal of the 2022 Offseason
“I think everyone wants to go out there and produce points and do what you need to do to help the team be successful”, Strome said of his individual performance this season, “I know I can be a good player on the power play, and try to get some good chances 5-on-5, and I think limiting the chances you give against is a big thing. You obviously want to be a positive player on the ice for more chances for than against.”
“I got to play with some really good players this year and I’m looking forward to building on…that chemistry and on those relationships, so I think from a personal standpoint I’m excited to come back next year, I’m excited to be here for the future.”
Strome, who was rewarded with a five-year contract for his performance, mid-season, says that getting better is a commitment he made to the team when signing a contract that offers the 3rd overall pick from 2015 stability he has not had much of thus far.
“It’s kind of the first time I’ve had that opportunity where I know I’m going to be [here] for awhile, and I’m excited to build on what I did this year and get better. I told them I was going to do that when I signed my contract.” Strome has already bought a house in the area to call home for the next five seasons.
With the Capitals missing out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in nine seasons, the team and Head Coach Peter Laviolette, whose contract was set to expire on June 30, mutually agreed to part ways yesterday.
“He was great for me”, Strome said when asked about Laviolette’s departure, “I think he is a coach that really gave me a chance to be the player I know I can be and want to be. I said from the first day it was intense…and that stayed true the whole year; very detailed, and very motivating.”
“Behind the bench, I can’t say enough good things about a coach that really gave me a chance and put me in the right positions…very grateful that I got to be coached by him and wish him all the best in the future.”
While Strome’s personal feelings on Laviolette as a player were sentimental, he also iterated the business aspect of the decision.
“I mean, when teams don’t make the playoffs, especially teams with high aspirations, that’s something I think the management and Peter himself [talked about] and mutually parted ways. I think everyone has to do that [adjusting to a new voice behind the bench], I think that’s going to be something everyone’s going to have to deal with, obviously no one knows who that guy is going to be.”
“…Whoever it may be, you obviously want to show the new guy you can be relied upon, this isn’t my first time getting a new coach or having a new coach, so I’m just going to be myself and let my hockey speak for itself on the ice; I know I’m a guy that can put up points, help this team win and I’m looking forward to doing that. I think the management in myself and I’m looking forward to being part of this team in the future into the playoffs in the coming years.”
See full interview below:
Here is your #1 Center next season.
Yeah, one of the few bright spot this season.
I’m on board with this. Mac said he wanted to improve top six, but I see 1C as locked down
If they do keep Kuzy I think they might try to find a 2c instead of a scoring winger and move Kuzy to the wing. Depending on what’s avaible. Just a thought.
I like that but would 1st really try to move him not just for the benefit of the team but also to give him a new start.
Strome was a great find by GMBM. Milano and NAK were good finds. All younger and have good roles on the team. I prefer Milano on third line which is fine for 1.9M. We need a top 6 and probably 2 if we move Mantha and Kuzy.
Also it is interesting to hear Strome’s love for Lavi and getting a chance which is back to another point i have made of it taking both sides. But even Kuzy spoke highly of Lavi. As did Darcy and others.