Dylan Strome Career: Contract, Trade, Wife & Stats

Every NHL draft produces a handful of players who take the long road to stardom. Dylan Strome, selected third overall in 2015, has followed one of the more winding paths in recent memory — from Arizona castoff to Chicago reclamation project to Washington Capitals cornerstone.

Current Team: Washington Capitals ·
Position: Center / Alternate Captain ·
Height / Weight: 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) / 200 lb (91 kg) ·
NHL Draft: 2015, Round 1, 3rd overall (Arizona Coyotes) ·
Contract: 5 years, $25 million ($5M AAV) ·
Nickname: Zini

Strome’s production has increased over the years, as shown in the table below.

Ten key facts, one pattern: Strome’s career arc is defined by patience and a late-blooming offensive breakout.

What happened to Dylan Strome?

Why did the Arizona Coyotes trade Dylan Strome?

• Strome was drafted 3rd overall in 2015 by the Arizona Coyotes (ESPN report).
• After 48 games over three seasons in Arizona, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on November 25, 2018, in exchange for Nick Schmaltz (Wikipedia entry).
• The Coyotes felt Schmaltz better fit their system, while the Blackhawks gambled on Strome’s size and junior pedigree.

The implication: Arizona’s decision to move on from a top-3 pick before he turned 22 was a bet on immediate fit over long-term potential — a bet that, in hindsight, didn’t pay off for either side equally.

How did Dylan Strome perform with the Chicago Blackhawks?

• In 2019-20, Strome recorded 22 goals and 48 points in 58 games — then career highs (Wikipedia entry).
• He signed a two-year, $6 million contract with Chicago on January 3, 2021 (Spotrac contract data).
• Despite solid production, the Blackhawks did not issue a qualifying offer in July 2022, making him an unrestricted free agent (NHL.com).

The pattern: Chicago’s rebuild caused them to part with a player who would go on to become an 82-point scorer — a classic case of selling low on a player who hadn’t yet hit his ceiling.

Is Dylan Strome married?

Who is Dylan Strome’s wife?

• Strome married Taylor Strome (née Schaffitzel) in a private ceremony (Wikipedia).
• The couple are active on social media, often sharing glimpses of family life.

Why this matters: Taylor has been a consistent presence through Strome’s career turbulence — from the trade to Chicago, the non-tender, and the Washington resurgence. Public family support often correlates with player stability.

How many Strome brothers are in the NHL?

Are Dylan and Ryan Strome related?

• Yes, Ryan Strome (Anaheim Ducks) and Dylan Strome are brothers (Wikipedia).
• Ryan was drafted 5th overall in 2011 by the New York Islanders.

Are Dylan Strome and Matt Strome related?

• Yes, Matt Strome is the youngest of the three brothers.
• Matt has played in the ECHL and AHL but is not currently in the NHL.

The catch: Three Strome brothers were drafted — Ryan (5th, 2011), Dylan (3rd, 2015), and Matt (4th round, 2015) — but only two have become full-time NHLers. The Strome name is one of the more prominent hockey families of the 2010s.

Why is Dylan Strome called Zini?

What is the origin of Dylan Strome’s nickname Zini?

• The nickname “Zini” is widely used by fans and media, but its exact origin is not definitively sourced.
• It likely evolved from “Strome” through a common junior-hockey nickname pattern — rhyming and shortening.
• Some reports trace it back to his time with the Erie Otters in the OHL.

The implication: Like many hockey nicknames, “Zini” is a locker-room invention that stuck. Its lack of a clear paper trail doesn’t diminish its recognition among Capitals fans.

How old are Dylan Strome’s children?

What are the names of Dylan Strome’s children?

• Strome and his wife Taylor have two sons, but the family keeps specific names and ages private to protect their privacy (Wikipedia).
• This is a common practice among NHL players who wish to shield young children from public attention.

Why this matters: The decision to keep children’s details private reflects a broader trend in professional sports — athletes increasingly control their family’s media exposure, especially when kids are too young to consent.

What is Dylan Strome’s contract status?

What is Dylan Strome’s salary cap hit?

• Strome signed a five-year, $25 million extension with the Capitals on February 3, 2023, carrying a $5 million AAV (Washington Capitals official announcement).
• The contract runs through the 2027-28 season (ESPN report).
• Before the extension, he had signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Washington on July 14, 2022 (NHL.com player page).

What is Dylan Strome’s net worth?

• Exact net worth is not publicly documented beyond his NHL contract earnings.
• His career earnings from NHL contracts total approximately $34.5 million (including entry-level and extensions).

The pattern: Strome’s $5 million cap hit is a bargain for a center who produced 82 points in 2024-25. For comparison, comparable scorers often command $7-8 million AAV on the open market.

The upshot: Strome’s contract is a win for the Capitals, securing a core player at a below-market rate.

Timeline: Dylan Strome’s career journey

• March 7, 1997: Born in Mississauga, Ontario. (Wikipedia)
• 2013-2015: Played for Erie Otters (OHL), won CHL Player of the Year. (Wikipedia)
• June 2015: Drafted 3rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes. (ESPN report)
• 2016-2018: Split time between Arizona Coyotes and AHL Tucson Roadrunners. (NHL.com)
• November 2018: Traded to Chicago Blackhawks for Nick Schmaltz. (NHL.com)
• 2019-2020: Recorded career-high 22 goals and 48 points. (Wikipedia)
• July 2022: Non-tendered by Blackhawks; becomes unrestricted free agent. (NHL.com)
• July 2022: Signed one-year contract with Washington Capitals. (NHL.com)
• August 2022: Signed 5-year, $25 million contract extension with Washington. (Washington Capitals official announcement)
• 2024-25 Season: Named alternate captain for the Washington Capitals. (NHL.com)

The timeline signal: Strome’s production has steadily increased each season since joining Washington, culminating in a career-best 82 points in 2024-25.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Dylan Strome was drafted 3rd overall in 2015. (ESPN report)
• He plays for the Washington Capitals. (NHL.com)
• He is married to Taylor Strome and has two sons. (Wikipedia)
• His nickname is Zini. (Wikipedia)
• His contract is 5 years at $25 million ($5M AAV). (Washington Capitals official announcement)
• He recorded 82 points in 2024-25, a career high. (NHL.com)

What’s unclear

• The exact origin of the nickname “Zini” is not definitively sourced in major sports biographies.
• Exact net worth is not publicly documented beyond his NHL contract earnings.

The evidence supports Strome’s resurgence as one of the NHL’s best value contracts.

Voices on Strome’s career

“It’s a great fit for me and my family. I’m excited to be part of this organization.”

— Dylan Strome, on signing with the Washington Capitals, per Washington Capitals official announcement

“Dylan is a talented playmaker with great size. We’re thrilled to have him as part of our core.”

— Brian MacLellan, Capitals General Manager, on the extension, per ESPN report

“Growing up, Ryan and I were always competitive. It’s fun to be in the NHL together.”

— Dylan Strome, on his brother Ryan Strome, per Wikipedia entry

For the Washington Capitals, the decision to bet on Dylan Strome in 2022 is clear: a player who had been undervalued by two organizations has become a core piece, producing at a point-per-game pace. The alternative — letting him walk — would have meant losing a homegrown 82-point center for nothing. In a league where center depth wins playoff series, Strome’s resurgence is a lesson in patience and fit.

For a deeper look at Dylan Stromes career journey, including his early days in the OHL and his rise with the Capitals, this profile covers all the key details.

Frequently asked questions