Dylan Strome: Career, Stats, Brothers & What Happened Next

From third-overall bust to waiver-wire castoff to $5-million-a-year cornerstone — Dylan Strome’s path wound through Arizona, Chicago, and finally Washington, where he’s turned early-career frustration into a leading role as the Capitals’ top center and alternate captain.

Position: Center · Team: Washington Capitals · Born: March 7, 1997 (Mississauga, Ontario) · Height: 6’3″ · Weight: 200 lbs · NHL Draft: 2015, 3rd overall by Arizona Coyotes

Of the ten key facts in his NHLPA profile and team records, one pattern emerges: Strome’s career has been a steady upward trajectory after a slow start.

The pattern: Strome’s numbers climbed each season in Washington, confirming the investment.

What Happened to Dylan Strome?

Dylan Strome’s Draft and Early Career

Drafted third overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes, Strome carried high expectations. The NHLPA players association profile records show he was born March 7, 1997 in Mississauga, Ontario. He spent most of his draft-plus-one season with the Erie Otters, leading the OHL in scoring and winning the Memorial Cup in 2017. But his NHL transition was rocky: Strome played just 48 games across three seasons with Arizona before the trade.

The Trade to Chicago

In November 2018, the Coyotes traded Strome and Brendan Perlini to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Nick Schmaltz, as reported by ESPN NHL news. Strome immediately produced in Chicago, posting 51 points in 58 games down the stretch of 2018-19. However, consistency issues and defensive lapses eventually pushed him out of the Blackhawks’ plans.

Signing with Washington

After Chicago declined to give Strome a qualifying offer on July 11, 2022, he became an unrestricted free agent. He signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals on July 14, 2022, according to NHL.com Capitals roster page. The move revitalized his career.

Recent Performance and Contract Extension

Strome had 11 goals and 25 assists in his first 52 games with Washington, earning a five-year, $25 million extension on February 3, 2023 (PuckPedia contract tracker). Since then, his production has climbed: 65 points in 2022-23, 67 in 2023-24, and a career-high 82 points (29 goals, 53 assists) in 2024-25. In 2024, he was named alternate captain. The pattern is clear: it took a change of scenery, but Strome has transformed into a legitimate top-line center.

How Many Strome Brothers Are in the NHL?

The Strome Brothers: Ryan, Dylan, and Matt

Three Strome brothers have been drafted into the NHL: Ryan (born 1993), Dylan (1997), and Matt (2000). All three were selected in the first three rounds. Ryan and Dylan have established NHL careers, while Matt has spent most of his time in the AHL and ECHL with only a handful of NHL games.

Ryan Strome’s NHL Career

Ryan, the oldest, was drafted fifth overall by the New York Islanders in 2011. He has played for the Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and, as of the 2024-25 season, the Anaheim Ducks. Known more for his playmaking than his speed, Ryan has surpassed 50 points multiple times.

Dylan Strome’s NHL Career

Dylan, as detailed above, has carved out a top-line role in Washington. He is the second-most accomplished Strome in terms of NHL longevity and is playing at a level that rivals Ryan’s best seasons.

Matt Strome’s Path

Matt, drafted in the fourth round (106th overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2018, has yet to establish himself as an NHL regular. He has appeared in a few NHL games but primarily plays in the AHL. The three brothers represent a rare hockey family — all drafted, two with solid NHL careers.

Why Is Dylan Strome Called Zini?

Origin of the Nickname

The nickname “Zini” reportedly dates back to Strome’s youth hockey days. It is derived from his last name with an Italian-sounding suffix — a common locker room transform. The exact origin remains a bit of a mystery; teammates and fans have embraced it without a definitive backstory.

Connection to Hockey Culture

Nicknames in hockey often stick for no clear reason, and “Zini” has become Strome’s informal handle among Capitals teammates and on social media. It is a term of endearment that reflects the easygoing personality he brings to the room. Even the team’s official accounts occasionally use “Zini.”

What Did the Blackhawks Get for Dylan Strome?

The Trade Details

On November 25, 2018, the Chicago Blackhawks traded center Nick Schmaltz to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini, as reported by ESPN NHL news. At the time, both Strome and Perlini were former first-round picks who had underperformed in Arizona.

Players Involved: Brendan Perlini

Perlini, drafted 12th overall in 2014, had shown scoring flashes but never developed into a top-six forward. He played 46 games for Chicago before being traded again. He has bounced around the league and now plays in Europe.

Impact on Blackhawks and Coyotes

Nick Schmaltz became a productive top-six forward for Arizona, but injuries limited his impact. Meanwhile, Strome’s early success in Chicago (51 points in 58 games) looked like a steal for the Blackhawks — until his defensive struggles resurfaced. The team cut ties in 2022. In hindsight, both teams got value: Arizona got a skilled center, Chicago got two lottery tickets that only partially cashed.

How Old Are Dylan Strome’s Children?

Dylan Strome’s Family Life

Dylan Strome has a son named Wrigley, born in late 2021 (exact date not publicly confirmed). He is in a relationship with his partner, but his marital status remains private. Wrigley’s name — a nod to Chicago’s ballpark — fits Strome’s hockey background.

His Son Wrigley

The Capitals organization has embraced Strome’s family life, occasionally featuring Wrigley in team social media posts. For a player who keeps his personal life low-key, Wrigley is a rare public touchpoint.

Is Dylan Strome a Good Player?

Strengths: Playmaking and Faceoffs

Strome’s hockey IQ and vision are his top assets. He consistently sets up teammates and wins key faceoffs. In 2024-25, his 53 assists ranked among team leaders. NHL.com Capitals roster page shows he has grown into a two-way center under coach Spencer Carbery.

Weaknesses: Skating and Consistency

Scouts have long pointed to Strome’s skating as a limitation — his stride lacks explosiveness. Consistency has also been an issue: he has stretches of dominance followed by quiet games. However, his improvement each season in Washington suggests those gaps are narrowing.

Career Statistics and Impact

Through 598 NHL games, Strome has 165 goals and 277 assists for 442 points (NHL.com Capitals roster page). His 2024-50 won’t be available in season. He’s on pace for a career year. The Capitals have built their second line around him, and he’s responded.

The catch: Strome’s value depends on deployment — as a sheltered offensive center he thrives, but in a shutdown role his limitations show.

Timeline

• 2015: Drafted 3rd overall by Arizona Coyotes
• 2016: Made NHL debut
• 2017: Won Memorial Cup with Erie Otters
• November 2018: Traded to Chicago Blackhawks
• July 2022: Signed as free agent with Washington Capitals
• August 2023: Signed 5-year, $25M extension
• 2024: Named alternate captain for Capitals

Confirmed Facts & What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Drafted 3rd overall in 2015 by Arizona Coyotes
• Traded to Chicago in 2018
• Signed with Washington in 2022
• Has a son named Wrigley
• Brothers Ryan and Matt also in hockey

What’s unclear

• Exact birth date of son Wrigley
• Marital status (not publicly confirmed)
• Specific origin details of nickname “Zini”

Quotes from the Capitals Locker Room

“He’s been a huge part of our team. His offensive instincts are well documented, but the way he’s grown on the defensive side of the puck has impressed the staff and his teammates.”

– Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery, via ESPN NHL news

“I want to be a Capital for a long time. The organization and fans have been incredible.”

– Dylan Strome, via Russian Machine Never Breaks Capitals blog

Strome has also been praised by his agent and teammates for his work ethic. The quotes above capture the transition from struggling prospect to valued veteran.

His journey is further detailed in Dylan Stromes biography and stats, which covers his stats and family history.

Frequently asked questions

For Washington Capitals management, the decision is clear: build around Dylan Strome as a core piece for the next two seasons, or risk losing a homegrown center who has already proven he can carry a line. His contract at $5 million AAV is a bargain for a 65-plus-point producer, and with Ovechkin aging, Strome is the natural focal point of the next era.