As a lot as Strome, 25, believes he is a just right have compatibility in Washington, there is a protracted season forward — and lots to turn out. He signed a one-year deal in July, changing into a key piece of the ahead corps. The rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks, with whom he had performed for the previous 4 seasons, made up our minds to let him hit unfastened company.
Strome, who scored a career-best 22 objectives and recorded 26 assists final season, let that call gas him.
“I just want to feel wanted,” he mentioned. “… You got to work your way up and show the team that they want to sign you for long term, not that you are forcing their hand. I want to just enjoy it and have fun. You don’t get to play this game forever, so I’m just having fun, living in the moment.”
He discovered that lesson partly from his older brother, Ryan, a 10-year NHL veteran who additionally modified groups in the offseason, transferring from the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks. Dylan and his more youthful brother, Matt, had front-row seats as Ryan navigated his personal difficulties and successes.
“My message to them is ‘Don’t get too high, and don’t get too low,’ ” mentioned Ryan, 29. “I think through our minor hockey careers and junior careers, we didn’t face adversity. Then I got to pro hockey, and I had some ups and down and faced some challenges and some roadblocks. I think them seeing me go through it and them seeing firsthand the challenges that pro hockey has and stuff like that, they’ve learned from it.”
The brothers communicate to every different each day, a role made more straightforward when Dylan and Matt each participated in Capitals coaching camp. Still in quest of his NHL debut, Matt, 23, signed with the Hershey Bears, the Capitals’ American Hockey League associate.
Training camp was once the first time any of the Strome brothers had been on the ice in combination in a group setting since they had been younger. Ryan mentioned that whilst it “sounds cheesy,” it was once one thing their oldsters had been “over the moon” about.
“We are just a normal hockey family and trying to squeeze every bit of this life we can,” Ryan mentioned.
During camp, Matt lived for 2½ weeks in Dylan’s area in Arlington, changing into a live-in roommate in an already-crowded family. Matt were given to be round his sister-in-law, Tayler, as well as to the couple’s younger daughter, Weslie, and their vigorous golden retriever, Benny.
Matt mentioned he cherished being round his niece and was once all the time keen to be in agreement after lengthy days at the rink. Weslie, who is 1½, loves all the consideration she will be able to get. She is already working round, blurting out phrases right here and there. Dylan mentioned she has taken to her mom greater than her father, although there may well be some controversy over her first phrase.
“There are some question marks around that, but I think her first word might have been ‘dada’ — but when she knew what ‘mama’ and ‘dada’ meant, it was ‘mama,’ ” Dylan mentioned with a laugh.
The couple, who were given married this summer time and spent their honeymoon in Hawaii, actually have a area in Oakville, Ontario. Their house is 20 mins from Dylan’s oldsters’ area, in addition to Ryan’s area in Mississauga. In the summers, Dylan and Matt determine day-to-day at Ryan’s area. When they aren’t in the health club or on the ice, they’re most likely {golfing}.
Ryan and Matt agree that Ryan is the ideally suited golfer of the brothers. They additionally agree that Matt, if he hasn’t already surpassed Dylan, is difficult him for the No. 2 spot.
“For some reason, Dylan’s game gets worse the more he plays,” Ryan quipped.
Said Matt: “I think I’m better than Dylan, but he would not be happy if he heard that.”
Jokes apart, Ryan and Matt are extremely joyful about Dylan’s alternative in Washington. They see it as a recent start and hope he will have a breakout season.
“This is a good challenge for him because, in his career and his life, he really hasn’t had too, too much adversity, so I think in order to grow it is a great challenge,” Ryan mentioned. “To have a chip on your shoulder is a good attitude to have, so I think he’s in a great place to do that, and I think it will be a great fit for both sides.”
Dylan, who was once a wholesome scratch every now and then beneath two other coaches in Chicago, mentioned he is ready to turn out he generally is a contributor for a contender. With the Capitals, he must get a possibility now not simplest to solidify his position in the NHL however assist an growing older roster make a run at any other Stanley Cup name.
“For him to get to play with those [veterans], it is unbelievable,” Matt mentioned. Dylan had “a smile on his face every day when I [got] home from the rink. He’s happy to be here, and this is a big shot for him — and he is going to make the most of his opportunity.”