Philadelphia Flyers Sign Matthew Strome To Entry-Level Deal

Another familiar name has signed an NHL contract, as the Philadelphia Flyers announced today that Matthew Strome has inked his three-year entry-level deal. Strome is the younger brother of Ryan Strome and Dylan Strome, who have both played in the NHL this season.

Like his brothers, Strome is an intelligent forward from the OHL with question marks surrounding his skating ability. Unlike them, he doesn’t have the elite offensive talent to make up for some deficiencies, and watched his draft stock fall because of it. Strome went in the fourth round in 2017, while his brothers both went in the top-5 overall in their respective drafts. Interestingly though, he may be able to follow a different path to the NHL.

The biggest of the three, Matthew Strome is a real handful to contain in front of the net and can engage physically, something that was a knock on his younger brothers during their draft years. They both had to mature physically before becoming professionals, while the youngest already checks in at 6’3″ 201-lbs. He’s already a talented goal scorer, who has set a new career high with 37 this season for the Hamilton Bulldogs, and might be able to carve out a role as a net-front presence at the next level.

Unfortunately, those problems with his skating still exist, and he’ll need his stride cleaned up if he is ever to make it at the NHL level. As the game becomes faster and faster, there isn’t a ton of ice time for a talented but unproven offensive player who can’t keep up. Strome will have to make his mark as a two-way force, contributing in other areas of the game. For now though, he’ll try to lead the Bulldogs to an OHL Championship and potential Memorial Cup berth, before likely returning to them again next season.