The Chicago Blackhawks announced Sunday afternoon that they re-signed centre Dylan Strome to a two-year deal worth $6 million. It pays him $3 million per season and takes him through the 2021-22 campaign.
OFFICIAL: Forward Dylan Strome has signed a 2-year contract extension!#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/ebZFzSIapn
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 3, 2021
Dylan Strome Re-Signs With Chicago
In Dylan Strome, Chicago retains a young centre with loads of potential. This past season, he scored 12 goals and 26 assists for 38 points, adding 16 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 49.3 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 1.7. Those totals are lower compared to last season, where he scored 17 goals 34 assists for 51 points. One of his areas of improvement is he needs to be a more consistent player. He was traded along with forward Brendan Perlini to Chicago from the Arizona Coyotes for forward Nick Schmaltz in November of 2018.
Over his five-year NHL career Strome has played for the Arizona Coyotes, and the Blackhawks. His career numbers show he has 36 goals and 69 assists for 105 career points in 164 career games. He was originally drafted in the first round, 3rd overall of the 2015 NHL draft by the Coyotes.
What This Means for the Future
Dylan Strome will need to show some consistency and he has the skills to be a 60-70 point scorer. He’ll likely be paired with his favourite linemate, Alex DeBrincat. The two developed some chemistry together and now Strome will need to step up his game due to the absences of Kirby Dach and captain Jonathan Toews. His production dropped 13 points from the 2018-19 season when he had 17 goals and 34 assists for 51 points.
Strome will likely be the Blackhawks’ first-line centre on opening night. It’s increased responsibility for him, but his high draft pedigree suggests he may still have the skillset to take on such a role. Chicago will rely on the youngster big-time through at least the first month of the season.
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