5:46 pm: The Washington Capitals have made the deal official, bringing Strome to the United States’ capital on a one-year, $3.5MM deal.
4:35 pm: According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Washington Capitals are expected to sign top unqualified RFA Dylan Strome to a one-year contract worth $3.5MM.
For Washington, this is an important signing to give them a legitimate second-line center in the absence of Nicklas Backstrom. While the team is more optimistic Backstrom will be able to return during the season after a serious hip surgery that could threaten his career, Strome is a strong option with top-six experience to replace him.
Despite going unqualified by the Chicago Blackhawks (and some puzzling early-season scratches by former head coach Jeremy Colliton), the 25-year-old had a strong year on a weak Chicago team with a career-high 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points in 69 games. With the chance to play with names like Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, Anthony Mantha, T.J. Oshie, Connor Brown, and others, Strome could finally hit the offensive potential he had when he was drafted third overall in 2015.
It’s a strong signing for Washington, who’s had a quietly great offseason by adding defensive depth and signing veteran netminder Darcy Kuemper.
22 goals would’ve made Strome the 5th highest scoring forward on the Preds last season. Just saying. :/
Would have been 2nd on Seattle!
Seattle missed the boat here. Use Strome to shelter the kids a bit.
Maybe Seattle had a similar offer though…who would you want to play with for one year before your next contract?
Nashville? (3rd line C)
Seattle? (no wingers)
He’s going to have decent PP time in Washington too
I think Caps will be disappointed in Strome. He has some offensive punch but how good will he be w out Kane and DeBrincat on each wing. Plus, he is below average in defense. Not saying he stinks and at 1/3.5, this is fair but he isnt some star Chicago just let walk either.
Kane and debrincat are great players, but he’ll be playing alongside some great players in Washington too potentially
Ducks should have stepped for that contract geez
And I thought Colorado should’ve taken a run at him.
I’m surprised he and his brother didn’t try to pair up together.
Flyers should have done that instead of signing dudes who can’t do anything but beat people up.
Would’ve been funny if the Rangers had signed him to that 3.5M after letting his brother walk (provided they didn’t sign VT).
I really like this deal, but…I’m a Pens fan.
Big, but slow and soft. Might score a few goals when it’s easy but you can make him disappear in any big game.
Brown and Kuemper were upgrades. This one, not so much.
This is make or break for Strome. If he doesn’t perform in Washington, his career might be in jeopardy
Yeah, “strong signing” is a bit off.
He can put up points but if he is not on you top unit PP (16 of his 48 points were on the PP last year) he doesn’t look so good. He also had an unsustainable 17.5% shooting percentage last year.
He really needs to follow his brother in learning how to play defence.
Same with Kubalik. All his goals in his rookie year came on the PP. When he was 5 on 5, Not so good.
Not a bad signing at all. He can help the PP which has gotten incredibly predictable the last 2-3 years. Its a low cost signing. If he puts up 50-55 points and makes a difference on the power play, he’s paid for himself.