Arizona Coyotes Center-man Dylan Strome is still in training camp, and it’s because he’s playing well.
Everyone has hoped that Dylan Strome would make it this far, or farther into training camp, but few really believed it. He’s now making everyone who doubted him look foolish. He carries himself like a player who has much more experience than his 18 years. The third overall selection this summer in the NHL Entry Draft has shown the Arizona Coyote management and coaching staff that he has every intention of sticking around.
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On Tuesday night he scored a power play goal with a wrist shot against a tough L.A. Kings team, while being out on the ice for 17:08 in the game. He was teamed up with wingers Mikkel Boedker, and another impressive prospect Matthias Plachta. He also was on the ice for 4:11 of power play time, showing the team he can handle NHL play.
Head Coach Dave Tippett told Arizona Coyotes Dave Vest:
"“He was very solid. L.A. had just about their whole lineup in… and Strome played against everybody. He played head-to-head against Anze Kopitar quite a bit in the third and I thought he played well.”"
Strome commented about his performance as well to Dave Vest:
“It’s been good,” Strome said.”We’re a couple games in now and I think I’m doing OK. I can always get better but I think for the first game, in Los Angeles against some pretty good players, it was a pretty good game. So, I’m just trying to get better every game and continue working hard and showing the coaches and the general manager and the staff that I can play here.”
You’ve got to admit he wants it bad, and that desire is exactly what this team needs. Will he knock a veteran out of a roster spot? Not sure. Will he go out there and give it his all? You bet. He wants to win a roster spot, and show everyone here in Arizona that they made a great choice in drafting him.
Some critics, (GM Don Maloney included) had mentioned he would probably need to develop more back in the OHL. Right now, after seeing his cool, and calm demeanor in a game, they may be changing their opinion. He doesn’t get rattled, and for a young player that seems to be their downfall. Can he bulk up, and stay with the big boys of the NHL? I think he’s already showing that.
If Dylan Strome doesn’t make it to the final roster and play in the opening game on October 9th, it won’t be the end of the world. He’ll be back next year for certain, and this time everyone will be saying exactly what they’re saying about Max Domi… this kid is something else.
There’s two more games for Strome to convince the Coyotes that he is capable of NHL caliber play. Let’s see what the kid’s got.
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