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Thoughts on the Dylan Strome Acquisition |
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Hello All,
The Capitals had made an extra addition to the roster since I last posted. The Caps signed Dylan Strome, C to a 1-year deal at a $3.5M AAV.
The move solidifies the center position for the Capitals with Backstrom likely out for the year. I. Love. This. Deal. The Caps have been throwing out a lot of 1-year deals this off-season and I am on board. If Backstrom is able to come back next season, this allows the Capitals to be firmly in control of the cap space. If Backstrom doesn't come back, the Caps will have plenty of space to go after another loaded 2023 free agency pool.
More on Strome...
Here is a quote from website called "Sports Forecaster." His scouting report here reads:
"[Strome] is still trying to live up to his status as the No. 3 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, but consistency continues to be a major issue. The tools for success are there: he has adequate speed, excellent playmaking ability, good hockey sense and a fine shot. However, his skating skills are not the best and he has yet to show he can be the kind of 200-foot player NHL teams want nowadays. Needs to play with offensive linemates to be most valuable."
Another quote from my Blackhawks insider aka my friend Mike who is a die-hard Blackhawks fan:
"I dont understand why the Hawks just let him walk. He can be a nice complementary player on a playoff team. As long as he doesn't have to win critical faceoffs. Colliton and Bowman didn't give Strome the opportunities he deserved the past two years because they didn't perceive him as a gritty, high motor player, which is what they were looking for"
A lot to digest there, Mike. I am catching a theme from Strome that the ceiling is very high on him but lack of consistency has caused some disruption the last couple years. At first glance Strome should line up as second line center and the line will be Mantha-Strome-Oshie. With Wilson out for the first half of the season and Connor Brown Stepping in, its possible the Caps get more creative than usual with the lines...
Highest Probability Lines:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Brown
Mantha-Strome-Oshie
Johansson-Eller-Sheary
Jonsson Fjallby-Dowd-Hathaway
Creative Lines:
Ovechkin-Strome-Sheary
Mantha-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Johansson-Eller-Brown
Jonsson Fjallby-Dowd-Hathaway
The 1st line RW can pretty much alternate between Brown, Sheary, and Oshie. The Caps are not afraid to throw some dudes up there. Strome will likely settle in at 2nd line center but certainly game scripts and flows will justify trying him on all different lines.
I love what Strome brings to the table. 1-year deal is a contract year for him. He has all the talent in the world around him and he could have a fantastic year. If he wants a big pay day next season, he will have to produce. The Capitals will give him more opportunity than the Blackhawks did. This could be one of the steals of free agency.
What are your thoughts on the acquistion?
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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