2015 NHL Draft Prospect Profile #3 - Dylan Strome
He lacks the press attention of the two guys expected to go 1-2, but Dylan Strome is the real deal.
Dylan Strome
Position: C
Current Team: Erie Otters, OHL
Date of Birth: March 7, 1997
Place of Birth: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 187 lbs
Shoots: Left
After months and months of hearing non-stop about Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, we now get to look at all of those other guys -- the immensely talented crop of prospects who have waited in the wings while the two stars elbowed their way into the spotlight. With our first candidate -- Dylan Strome -- you might get the idea that there are some other really talented guys in this draft. You would be right.
After registering a ridiculous 65 goal, 78 assist performance in only 60 games at the AAA Midget level, Strome had a more tepid debut in the OHL, managing just 10-29-39 in his first season with the Erie Otters. Not to worry, he bounced back this year with an impressive 45-84-129 in a 68-game campaign for Erie -- good enough to win the OHL scoring title. Yeah, this kid is good. Add the fact that he also took home the William Hanley Trophy as the OHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player, and you have the ideal combination of skill and character.
At 6'3", Strome has the height necessary to be a physical force at center ice, but will likely need to fill out that 187 pound frame to withstand the rigors of an 82 game NHL schedule. He is currently ranked #4 among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Rankings, and sits #3 in the ISS Rankings. He wore an "A" for Team Cherry in the Top Prospects game, has a solid international resume, and seems to be a well-rounded prospect. The following pretty much sums up the consensus view:
"He has that competitive edge and grittiness; he wants to succeed, wants the puck, wants to score and wants to win. He’s a skilled, driven player, a strong skater with the agility and reach that scouts love." -- Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting
A Good Fit in Columbus?
You can never be too rich, too think or have too many talented players at the center position. Columbus would love to have him, but absent a major deal, he will be gone well before the Blue Jackets pick. An argument can be made that the club is already very young at forward, but if the opportunity presented itself, it would be hard to turn down this kind of talent.
Strome in Action