Every NHL career follows a different script, but few have flipped the page as dramatically as Dylan Strome’s. Drafted third overall in 2015 with sky-high expectations, he spent years bouncing between teams and struggling to stick — only to emerge as the Washington Capitals’ second-line center and alternate captain.

4 related posts

Team: Washington Capitals ·
Position: Center / Alternate captain ·
Born: March 7, 1997 (Mississauga, Ontario) ·
NHL Draft: 2015, 3rd overall (Arizona Coyotes) ·
Current Contract: 5 years, $25 million ($5M AAV)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Drafted 3rd overall by Arizona Coyotes in 2015 (NHL.com)
  • Claimed off waivers by Capitals in 2022 (NHL.com)
  • Signed 5-year, $25M extension in 2023 (NHL.com)
  • Married to Tayler Strome (née McMahon) since August 2022 (Wikipedia)
  • Nickname “Zini” popularized by Alex Ovechkin (The Hockey News)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact origin of “Stromezini” beyond teammate anecdote
  • Current Instagram account status (reported as private)
  • Future trade or extension details beyond 2027-28
3Timeline signal
  • 2015: 3rd overall pick — second Strome brother drafted in first round
  • Nov 2018: Traded to Chicago Blackhawks for Nick Schmaltz
  • July 2022: Claimed off waivers by Washington Capitals
  • 2023: Signs 5-year, $25M extension; named alternate captain
4What’s next
  • Plays out current contract through 2027-28 season
  • Continues as Capitals second-line center behind Evgeny Kuznetsov
  • Potential to hit 70+ points in a full season with Washington

Six key facts, one pattern: Dylan Strome’s trajectory shows a high draft pick who was written off too early — now performing at the level many expected when he left junior hockey.

Fact Value Source
Full name Dylan William Strome Hockey-Reference
Born March 7, 1997 (age 27), Mississauga, Ontario NHL.com
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) NHL.com
Weight 200 lb (91 kg) Hockey-Reference
NHL Draft 2015, 3rd overall by Arizona Coyotes NHL.com
Current team Washington Capitals (alternate captain) NHL.com
Shoots Left NHL.com
2023-24 points 27 goals, 40 assists (67 points) Hockey-Reference
Contract 5 years, $25 million ($5M AAV through 2027-28) NHL.com
Brothers in NHL Ryan Strome (Anaheim Ducks), Matt Strome (AHL/ECHL) Elite Prospects
Nickname “Zini” (popularized by Alex Ovechkin) The Hockey News
Marriage Tayler Strome (née McMahon), married August 2022 Wikipedia
The upshot

Dylan Strome is the second member of his family selected in the first round of the NHL Draft — following brother Ryan — a feat that underscores the Strome family’s remarkable hockey pedigree (NHL.com).

What happened to Dylan Strome?

Dylan Strome’s career is the story of a top prospect who nearly became a cautionary tale — then flipped the narrative. After dominating the OHL with the Erie Otters alongside Connor McDavid and winning an OHL championship in 2015 (Hockey-Reference), he was selected third overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2015 NHL Draft (NHL.com). But the transition to the NHL didn’t come easily.

Early career: Arizona Coyotes (2015-2018)

  • Bounced between Coyotes and AHL affiliate Tucson Roadrunners (NHL.com)
  • Struggled to find consistent ice time and production
  • Failed to lock down a top-six role in two-plus seasons

The implication: Arizona’s decision to draft a second-line center third overall — when defensemen like Noah Hanifin and Ivan Provorov were still on the board — raised questions about organizational fit from the start.

Chicago Blackhawks (2018-2022)

In November 2018, the Coyotes traded Strome to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Nick Schmaltz (NHL.com). In Chicago, Strome showed flashes of his junior form — posting 51 points in 58 games in 2018-19 — but consistency remained elusive.

  • 2018-19: 17 goals, 51 points in 58 games (career-high pace)
  • 2019-20: 12 goals, 38 points in 58 games
  • 2020-21: 9 goals, 19 points in 40 games
  • 2021-22: 22 goals, 48 points in 69 games
Bottom line: Strome’s Chicago tenure showed improvement but never fully erased the “bust” label from his draft-day expectations. The Blackhawks chose not to extend him.

Washington Capitals (2022-present)

The Capitals claimed Strome off waivers in July 2022 (NHL.com). It was a low-risk move that became a franchise-defining find. In his first season in Washington, he scored 23 goals and 65 points — his best NHL campaign. The Capitals rewarded him with a 5-year, $25 million contract extension in 2023 (NHL.com), and he was named alternate captain shortly after.

  • 2022-23: 23 goals, 65 points in 81 games
  • 2023-24: 27 goals, 40 assists (67 points) (Hockey-Reference)
  • Serves as second-line center behind Evgeny Kuznetsov

What this means: Dylan Strome has finally become the player scouts envisioned — but it took a waiver-wire wake-up call and a team that believed in his playmaking strengths.

How many Strome brothers are in the NHL?

Three Strome brothers have played professional hockey: Ryan, Dylan, and Matt Strome (Elite Prospects). Each took a different path to the professional ranks.

Three brothers, one family: The Stromes represent one of the most accomplished sibling trios in recent NHL history.

Brother Current Team Draft Year / Round NHL Games Key Notes
Ryan Strome Anaheim Ducks 2011, 1st round (5th overall) 700+ Veteran center, played for NYI, EDM, NYR, ANA (NHL.com)
Dylan Strome Washington Capitals 2015, 1st round (3rd overall) 400+ Capitals second-line center, alternate captain (NHL.com)
Matt Strome AHL / ECHL 2017, 4th round (106th overall) 0 Youngest brother, minimal NHL exposure (Elite Prospects)
The catch

While Ryan and Dylan have carved out NHL careers, Matt’s professional path has stalled in the minor leagues — highlighting the razor-thin margin between NHL success and career obscurity, even within one family.

Are Dylan Strome and Matt Strome related?

Yes. Dylan Strome is the older brother of Matthew Strome and the younger brother of Ryan Strome (Wikipedia). The three brothers grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, in a hockey-focused household (Monumental Sports Network / YouTube).

Is Dylan Strome married?

Dylan Strome married Tayler Strome (née McMahon) in August 2022 (Wikipedia). The couple has one child, named Wrigley, born in 2023.

How old are Dylan Strome’s children?

As of 2024, Dylan Strome has one child — a son named Wrigley — born in 2023. The family resides in the Washington, D.C. area during the NHL season.

What is Dylan Strome’s family background?

Dylan Strome was born to parents Chris and Janet Strome in Mississauga, Ontario (NHL.com). All three Strome brothers — Ryan, Dylan, and Matt — grew up playing hockey in the Mississauga hockey system before moving to junior and eventually professional careers (Wikipedia).

Bottom line: The pattern: The Strome family is a clear example of athletic talent concentrated in one household — but the brothers’ divergent career paths show that even exceptional hockey genes don’t guarantee NHL longevity.

Why is Dylan Strome called Zini?

The nickname “Zini” has become a staple of Capitals locker-room culture, and the origin story is a classic hockey anecdote: teammates started calling Dylan Strome “Stromezini” — a playful, Italian-sounding twist on his last name — which eventually shortened to “Zini” (The Hockey News).

Alex Ovechkin was the teammate who popularized the name within the Capitals organization (The Hockey News). Tom Wilson and other teammates were also involved in the evolution from “Stromezini” to “Zini” (The Hockey News).

Why this matters

Nicknames in NHL locker rooms are a sign of belonging. For Strome — who was waived just months earlier — being given a locker-room nickname by superstars Ovechkin and Wilson signaled full acceptance into the Capitals’ culture.

What this means: The “Zini” nickname is more than a fun story — it’s a marker of how Strome transitioned from waiver-wire afterthought to core member of a veteran-laden Capitals room.

What is Dylan Strome’s height?

Dylan Strome is listed at 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) and 200 lb (91 kg) (NHL.com). Some sources list him at 6 ft 4 in (Hockey-Reference), but NHL.com’s official listing is 6’3″.

  • Height: 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
  • Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
  • Shoots: Left
  • Position: Center

Does Dylan Strome have an Instagram account?

Dylan Strome’s Instagram handle is @dylstrome19, but the account is reported as private (NHL.com). He is not highly active on social media compared to some NHL contemporaries.

Is Dylan Strome a good hockey player?

After early-career struggles, the evidence now points to yes — but with important caveats.

Two seasons in Washington, one conclusion: Dylan Strome is a legitimate top-six center whose strengths (playmaking, faceoffs, power-play production) outweigh his weaknesses (skating speed, defensive consistency).

Aspect Rating Evidence
Playmaking Elite 40 assists in 2023-24 (Hockey-Reference)
Goal-scoring Above average 27 goals in 2023-24 (career high)
Faceoffs Above average Consistently above 50% win rate
Skating speed Below average Widely reported scouting critique
Power play Strong Key contributor to Capitals’ PP unit
Defensive play Average Not considered elite two-way center
The trade-off

For teams that prioritize skating and two-way play, Strome may not fit. For teams that value a playmaking center who wins draws and produces on the power play, he’s a $5M bargain through 2027-28.

Dylan Strome vs Ryan Strome comparison

The two Strome brothers share similar offensive production, but their career arcs diverge sharply in role and perception.

Category Dylan Strome Ryan Strome
NHL games 400+ 700+
Career points per game 0.67 0.62
Best season 67 points (2023-24) 59 points (2019-20, 2021-22)
Draft position 3rd overall (2015) 5th overall (2011)
Current role Second-line center, alternate captain Third-line center, middle-six forward
Faceoff percentage ~51% ~48%

Career timeline: Dylan Strome

  • 2013-2015: Erie Otters (OHL) — won OHL championship in 2015 alongside Connor McDavid (Hockey-Reference)
  • 2015: Selected 3rd overall by Arizona Coyotes in NHL Entry Draft (NHL.com)
  • 2016-2018: Bounced between Coyotes and AHL; struggled to find consistency
  • November 2018: Traded to Chicago Blackhawks for Nick Schmaltz (NHL.com)
  • 2019-2022: Played for Blackhawks; showed improvement but inconsistent
  • July 2022: Claimed off waivers by Washington Capitals (NHL.com)
  • 2023: Signed 5-year, $25 million contract extension with Capitals (NHL.com)
  • 2023-present: Became Capitals’ second-line center and alternate captain

What this means: The timeline reveals a player who needed a fresh start more than a change in skill — and the Capitals gave him both.

What is Dylan Strome’s contract on Spotrac?

Dylan Strome’s current contract is a 5-year, $25 million deal with an average annual value (AAV) of $5 million, signed in 2023 (NHL.com). The contract runs through the 2027-28 season.

  • Length: 5 years
  • Total value: $25 million
  • AAV: $5 million
  • Signed: 2023
  • Expires: End of 2027-28 season

The pattern: A $5M AAV for a 65-70 point center is considered strong value in today’s NHL salary cap environment — especially for a team that acquired him for nothing on waivers.

What is the relationship between Dylan Strome and Connor McDavid?

Dylan Strome and Connor McDavid were teammates on the Erie Otters in the OHL from 2013 to 2015 (Hockey-Reference). During that time, they won the OHL championship together in 2015. McDavid was selected first overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers; Strome went third overall to Arizona.

While they are not related, the two remain connected through their shared junior hockey success and the “what if” questions that follow top draft picks who played together.

“Playing with Connor in Erie was special. He made everyone around him better, and I learned a lot about what it takes to be an elite player from watching him every day.”

— Dylan Strome (paraphrased from interviews)

Why this matters: The McDavid connection highlights the gap between generational talent (McDavid) and very good NHL player (Strome) — but also underscores how Strome’s junior success wasn’t an accident.

Additional sources

russianmachineneverbreaks.com, youtube.com, x.com, dcbackcheck.com, youtube.com, washingtonhockeyinsider.com

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is Dylan Strome’s nationality?

Dylan Strome is Canadian. He was born in Mississauga, Ontario, and has represented Canada in international junior competition.

What jersey number does Dylan Strome wear?

Dylan Strome wears jersey number 19 for the Washington Capitals.

How many points did Dylan Strome score in the 2023-24 season?

Dylan Strome scored 27 goals and 40 assists for 67 points in the 2023-24 season (Hockey-Reference).

Does Dylan Strome have any siblings?

Yes. Dylan Strome has two brothers: Ryan Strome (Anaheim Ducks) and Matt Strome (AHL/ECHL) (Elite Prospects).

What is Dylan Strome’s net worth?

Dylan Strome’s net worth is estimated at approximately $15-20 million based on his NHL contracts and endorsements, though exact figures are not publicly confirmed.

Where did Dylan Strome play junior hockey?

Dylan Strome played junior hockey for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 2013 to 2015 (Hockey-Reference).

Is Dylan Strome related to Ryan Strome?

Yes. Dylan Strome is the younger brother of Ryan Strome (NHL.com).

Related reading

Dylan Strome’s story is a reminder that NHL careers aren’t written in the first draft. For the Washington Capitals, the decision to claim a struggling ex-top pick off waivers has produced one of the best value contracts in the league. For Strome, the choice to bet on himself in a new environment — rather than accept a diminished role — paid off with a 5-year deal and an alternate captain’s “A” on his sweater. For fans watching the Capitals rebuild around a veteran core, the lesson is clear: sometimes the best acquisition isn’t a blockbuster trade, it’s a waiver-wire pickup with something left to prove.