NEWSLETTER
In October, we discussed the Blackhawks’ usage (or lack thereof) of former third-overall pick Dylan Strome, who was being shut out of the lineup on a near-nightly basis by then-head coach Jeremy Colliton. Since then, Strome has earned a regular role in the lineup — now playing on the top lines with the Blackhawks’ other skill players like Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. In fact, Strome has logged 14 points in 20 games since the calendar flipped to 2022, and that’s *including* his current five-game streak without a point.
And yet, questions surrounding his future in Chicago are ongoing; they’ve just evolved into a totally different conversation. What used to be a discussion between dressing and watching games in street clothes from a box has turned into a debate of where Strome’s best value to the Blackhawks lies – in Chicago long-term or as a trade chip before the March 21 deadline?
For example, a few weeks ago, Derek King was asked whether or not Strome’s recent play might have boosted his trade value, to which King joked that maybe he should “sit him down a little bit, [to] make him stick around here.”
And when Patrick Kane — whom Derek King credits as a big help to Dylan Strome the past few months — was asked about the idea of Strome being traded, Kane wasn’t a fan of the idea: “To be honest with you, keeping a guy that’s that young is probably a better solution,” Kane told Ben Pope of the Sun-Times. [he] can be part of the future here. Especially when you give him a chance, and he shows that he can do it, time and time again. It’s pretty obvious if you give him a chance in a top-six role and on a power play, he’s going to produce. That’s just the fact.” But clearly, the rumors are reaching the team.
So … Will Kane’s endorsement matter? Just 48 hours ago, new GM Kyle Davidson did say that he will be taking the thoughts and opinions of #88 into account when making decisions on the future of the Blackhawks. But yesterday, he also said that as he embarks on this rebuild, no one is untouchable (which, to be fair, is the correct stance to take):
“Whether it’s realistic or not, there’s always a situation where you might get offered something that you can’t turn down,” Davidson said. “In reality, other than those who are contractually obligated to be untouchable, no one is.
“We’re not in a position where we can hold anything back. And I’m not saying that everyone is available; that’s definitely not what I’m saying. But we just have to be open-minded. We have to consider anything that someone comes to us with, and we will do that.”
Davidson knows that the roster needs an overhaul. Still, more importantly, the farm needs an injection of quality prospects if the Blackhawks want to build something both successful and sustainable under his guidance. He knows that the only way to get those prospects is to part with some of the NHL guys who can bring back value, and Dylan Strome might fit that description.
“The only way you get assets is by giving up something of value. That’s kind of how it works. Or you can wait long enough that you make the draft picks that eventually come along. But if you want to infuse some volume and some depth of talent into your system more quickly, then you’ve got to move some pieces. I’ll be open to anything.”
How does Dylan Strome feel about his name coming up in trade discussions again, with Davidson now firmly in the driver’s seat and the trade deadline just weeks away? “It’s not really up to me; just try to play as best that I can, and we’ll see what happens,” Strome told the media after the morning skate at the United Center today. “That’s not a decision for me to make, so I just gotta keep working hard and let the chips fall where they may.”
Regardless of whether Strome’s future is in Chicago or not, he respects Kyle Davidson’s process and thinks that he’ll make the right decisions for the Blackhawks. “I think he [Davidson] knows our team really well, and he’s been around a long time,” Strome told the media after the morning skate at the United Center today. “He’s got a great hockey mind, and I think we’re all going to see that.”
…
It’s been a busy week for the Blackhawks, with Kyle Davidson named the new GM. The trade deadline is right around the corner, so if you have any questions about the immediate or long-term future, drop them in the comments or email me at [email protected]. I’ll the Blackhawks answer whatever comes into me in the next 24 hours or so with the mailbag running on Saturday.
