Oilers Missed A Great Opportunity In Acquiring Dylan Strome

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Ryan Hall
November 11, 2024 (8:50 PM)

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Every general manager in the NHL can have a miss or two when it comes to players that are available, but former general manager Ken Holland missed a huge opportunity to land former 2015 third overall pick Dylan Strome.

Strome's career has been streaky for many years as many touted him as one of the best players up and coming has, he sat two positions behind Connor McDavid in that draft. Many felt that he has underperformed considering his position in the draft, but it appears that his quality of play has been improving as he gets older.

In 2022 after playing four seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Strome did not have a qualifying offer sent to him even though he played 69 games, scored 22 goals with 26 assists for 48 points and had 28 penalty minutes.

A player of his quality certainly would be one most general manager would look at and it's not surprising that Holland missed him as he would have been a great addition to the Oilers. During that offseason, the Washington Capitals offered him a one-year deal with $3.5 million to see what he could bring to the table, and he has made the most of his opportunity as the following year he signed a five-year $25 million deal with the capitals while having 65 and 67 points.

Strome had strong ties to McDavid as they both played for the Erie Otters who is now coached by his former coach Kris Knoblauch. Bringing Strome on board would have given McDavid another player he's familiar with and to build more chemistry especially in their Stanley Cup run.

Of course, this did not happen, and the team will never know but could have been but Strome is certainly making his case that he is a great player as he is had 22 points in 14 games this season.